Columbiana - James "Jim" Ball passed away Monday evening, January 23, 2012 with his loving family by his side after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He was born January 1, 1961 in Youngstown, the son of John "Jack" and Jane (Davis) Ball and was a lifelong area resident. Jim was a 1978 graduate of Canfield High School, attended Youngstown State University, majoring in Criminal Justice and then graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Academy. Jim will always be remembered and loved by all his family and friends for his kindness, generosity, warm heart, big smile, great personality and work ethic. He was an outstanding policeman and the care he showed to all in the community will live on forever. Jim would always give a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a police officer for 30 years on the Beaver Township Police Department. He loved and truly cared for the people in the community. Not only was he a police officer, he was a true public servant. He was also a former member of the Violent Crime Task Force. Jim enjoyed his own lawn care business and tree nursery for many years. Jim was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #201 (Beaver Police Lodge), the Ohio Patrolman Benevolent Association, the Scottish Rite Lodge Valley of Youngstown, and the Masons Western Star Lodge #0021. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, camping, being outdoors, and vacationing at the ocean with his wife and daughters. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 25 years the former Karen Weatherby, whom he married on June 14, 1986, two daughters, Virginia "Ginny" and Katie Ball, his parents, John "Jack" and Jane Ball of Canfield, three brothers John (Deborah) Ball of Boardman, Randy Sr. (Sara) Ball of Canfield, and Richard (Meghan) Ball of North Lima, three sisters Linda (Barry) Morgan of Boardman, Janet (Lex Jr.) Prindle of Canfield, and Mary Ball of Canfield, eleven nieces and nephews Sarah (Patrick) Scenna, Allison Morgan, Randy Jr., Brooke, Morgan, and Hannah Ball, Lex III and Madison Prindle, Ashley and Thomas Crump Jr., two great nephews Barry and Kellen Pitzer, and two sister-in-laws Barbara Gourley and family and Teri (Eric) Kingsbury and family. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bazil and Lavinia Davis, paternal grandparents James and Harriett Ball, and his mother and father-in-law, Harold and Henrietta Weatherby. Friends may call on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. There will be a funeral service held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 12030 Market St., North Lima with Pastor Ralph Edwards, the chaplain for the Beaver Township Police Department and Pastor Larry Bowald, and the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Burial will take place at Columbiana Cemetery. Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book, and email condolences to Jim's family. On behalf of Jim's family they would like to thank everyone for all their love and compassion shown to Jim and his family during his time of his illness. Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home Dedicated To Your Loved Ones