Champion – Ryan J. Ball, age 19, of 711 Co. Rd. CN, Champion, passed away unexpectedly shortly after arriving in the Emergency Room at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming at 1:10am on Monday May 2, 2011.


Ryan was born January 2, 1992 at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming the son of Lynn Mattila and Todd Ball. He attended the Aspen Ridge Elementary and Middle School, along with the Westwood High School, graduating with the Class of 2010. During his school years Ryan excelled in sports, playing hockey for the Iron Range Hockey Association, and basketball, football and golf at Westwood High School. He earned Mid-Peninsula All-conference awards in football (1st team, wide receiver) and basketball (2nd team), played in the U.P. all star football game this past summer, and played on a high school senior select basketball team in lower Michigan following his high school career. Ryan will be remembered for his infectious smile and the twinkle in his eye. He had numerous friendships, and enjoyed the special times they had together. Ryan had also enjoyed the times he spent hunting with his Dad.


Survivors include his mother – Lynn Mattila (John Carlson) of Champion, his father – Todd Ball (Jennifer St. George) of L'Anse, a brother Devin Ball of Champion, step-brother – Robert Carlson, step-sister Mindy (Steve) Nelson, his maternal grandmother – Linda Roberts of Champion, his paternal grandparents Patrick & Sandra Ball of Ishpeming, a paternal great grandmother Ruth (Grund) Behrens of Ishpeming, aunts and uncles – Troy & Lynn Ball, Tracy & Bruce Ledlow, John & Lisa Mattila, David Mattila, Brenda & Jesse Wescher, Brian & Rhonda Mattila, Mike & Judy Roberts, Kim & Dave Murphy, Sandra & William Perala, Glenn & Lana Roberts, and Tracy Nelson & Daren Grobar, along with many great aunts & uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfathers – John Mattila and Keith Roberts, maternal great grandparents, Rose & Roy Melka and Effie & Hugo Mattila.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 3 until 6pm on Thursday May 5, 2011 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm on Thursday at the Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.


For those wishing to offer memorials in Ryan's memory, the family asks that you consider the Westwood High School Booster Club, 300 Westwood Dr., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Pallbearers will be Lance Maki, Shane Katajamaki, Matt Yeager, Rob Carlson, Justin Farley and Taylor Kerkela.