Gale L. "Smokey" Baller, 90, of Ossian, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at Markle Health and Rehabilitation.

He was born June 14, 1926, in Bluffton, to Simon P. and Mildred Estes Williams. He married Norma J. Allen on April 7, 1990; she survives.

A graduate of Bluffton High School in 1944, Smokey joined the U.S. Army and served from Oct. 1944 to Aug. 1946 in Germany. He worked for several years as plant manager for Steury Bottling Company, beginning in 1947. He was sales manager at Hiday Motors Bluffton for 37 years, retiring in 2012, and worked at Reimschisel Ford for 10 years.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing and stock car races with his dad.

Smokey was an avid IU basketball fan and attended an annual golf outing in Florida with friends for 30 years. He enjoyed coon hunting and raising coon dogs and fishing.

He is survived by two sons, Mark (Linda) Baller of Plainfield and Jerry (Judy) Baller of Bluffton; two daughters, Kim Schoppman and Kathy West, both of Ossian; a brother, Steve (Sue) Baller of Bluffton; a sister, Winnie Markley of Bluffton; and nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jimmy Baller; and two sisters, Bonnie Pursley and Mona Jean Dunn.

A service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Goodwin-Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton with Tony Chaney officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. U.S. Army and American Legion Post 111 will conduct military graveside rites at Six Mile Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to Family LifeCare or the Alzheimer's Foundation.

Online condolences at www.thegmcfamily.com