Ballon

Kenneth P. Ballon, 79, of Sylvania, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Born March 6, 1946, in Butler, he was the son to Charles and Ida (Neely) Ballon.

Ken was known as a neighborhood prankster and protector of his two younger sisters. He loved fishing, trapping and exploring, and he developed a lifelong appreciation for the natural beauty of Western Pennsylvania.

Ken was a hard worker from a young age, delivering newspapers and caddying at the local country club. As a young adult, he learned to weld at Pullman-Standard steel car company and later became a traveling boilermaker. After a near-fatal workplace accident in 1987, followed by years of rehabilitation, Ken returned to school, earning an associate degree from Butler County Community College and a bachelor's degree in safety science from Slippery Rock University. He then dedicated the rest of his working life — a 25-year tenure with Matrix NAC — to ensuring the safety of men and women in the industrial contracting sector. A recipient of many safety awards, he was affectionately known as “Captain Safety.”

Ken was a proud member of The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the Democratic Party. In his free time, he enjoyed golf, gardening and relaxing at home.

Beyond his professional life, Ken was a deeply devoted son, a protective older brother, a loving husband, and a proud father and grandfather. He did not have to work hard to be kind. To his friends, neighbors and co-workers, Ken was known as a good human who was always ready to offer support or lighten the mood with a good-natured joke. A man of few words, he often delighted those around him with unexpected moments of witty humor. He had an admirable focus on the good things in life and believed in “making good time” — a phrase that reflected his keen sense of purpose and patience. Ken will be remembered as a strong, contemplative man who loved his family deeply, who cared about human rights — especially those of women and people facing systemic disadvantages — and who fought hard to be present until his final moments.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ida.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sallie (Barnes) Ballon; and his seven daughters, Kim and Cindy Ballon, of Ontario, Calif.; Lisa (Rick) Nagy, of Cranberry; Dawn (Mark) Seezox, Beth (Brent) Kelly, and Lori Ballon, all of Butler, and Tina (Gabe) DeBord, of Sylvania, Ohio. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a mother-in-law, Bertha Barnes, of Butler; and sisters, Patricia (John) Beatty, of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Linda Oesterling, of Butler.

BALLON — Family and friends of Kenneth P. Ballon, who died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 New Castle Road, Butler.

A prayer service will immediately follow in the funeral home.

Burial will be held privately at Greenlawn Burial Estates.

Condolences may be offered at www.spencerdgeibel.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.