MaryAnn Ballak

MaryAnn Ballak, age 84, a lifelong resident of Joliet, IL passed away on December 29, 2024 at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet. She was born to James and Mary (nee Mikulasko) Ballack on March 16, 1940.

MaryAnn was born and raised in Joliet, graduating as a member of the class of 1958 from Joliet Township High School. After high school, MaryAnn continued her educational endeavors, ultimately earning her Bachelor’s Degree from the College of St. Francis and a Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. While completing her degree coursework, she worked at Argonne National Laboratories in the High Energy Physics Department. After securing her Master’s Degree, MaryAnn began her teaching career in 1965 at St. Francis Academy. She taught there for twenty years before accepting a position with Joliet Central High School. She taught at Joliet Central from 1986 until her retirement in the year 2000. MaryAnn and her sister Shirley developed a love for travel early in life, thanks in no small part to her parents’ decision to purchase a motor home which they used to travel around North America as a family. They often took trips to areas that centered around fishing, and MaryAnn was incredibly fond of spending time fishing with her father. After their parents passing, MaryAnn and Shirley continued to travel in search of new experiences in many beautiful locations across North America. MaryAnn always maintained a high level of respect for education at every age, and she loved to spend her free time reading many different books, with her favorites falling into the mystery genre.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her parents James and Mary Ballack.

She is survived by her loving sister Shirley Ballack, her dear cousin, Spike Berscheid, and his wife Jill and their children; Garrett, Jonathon, Mason, Brody, Zander, and Ella. Many other close friends, co-workers, and beloved extended family members also survive, with a special mention of her wonderful canine companion Trixie.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at The Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet, IL 60435 from 9:30 am – 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin promptly at 10:00 am following visitation. Upon the conclusion of Mass, we will travel in procession to MaryAnn’s final resting place of Mount Calvary Cemetery, 18000 Rosalind St., Lockport, IL where she will be interred next to her parents.