Dr. Lynn Donelda (Heitzenrater) Ball

Dr. Lynn Donelda (Heitzenrater) Ball was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania, to Grant and Margurite (Senik) Heitzenrater on December 13, 1935. Surrounded by her family, she passed away on January 12, 2025, in Garland, Texas. 

Lynn attended DuBois High School, graduating in 1954. She continued her education at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas, and Texas Christan University in Fort Worth, Texas where she earned her Doctorate in English Literature. She enjoyed a career as a newspaper reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. She also worked in telecommunications for Nortel Networks and was the esteemed owner and operator of Lynn Ball Dance Studios in Alexander, Virginia. After retirement, she taught as an English professor at Richland College until she experienced a stroke at age 84.

Lynn married the love of her life, Joseph W. Ball, on March 2, 1953. The two remained united until his transition in December of 2022. 

Among many hobbies, Lynn enjoyed dancing, painting, sculpting, sewing, and writing stories. She was accomplished with great determination, and she will be fondly remembered for her caring and feisty nature. Her loving spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Joseph W. Ball; son, David John Ball; grandson, Justin David Valle; brother, Albert Heitzenrater (Helen); son-in-law, Kerry Dee Cain; and parents, Grant and Margurite Heitzenrater. 

Those left to cherish fond memories include her children - Karen Ball Wright (Dwayne), Gloria Ball Cain, and Laurie Ball Valle (John); her brothers, Ron Heitzenrater (Kim) and Doug Heitzenrater (Gloria); her grandchildren, Kristina Wright and Kayla and Lauren Cain; and a host of other relatives and friends.

All are welcome to join us via live stream on this memorial page at

10:00 AM on THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025,

as we celebrate the life of our beloved Lynn. Click the link below:

Celebration of Life for Lynn Ball

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