Howard J. Ball 87, of Salem, died at 7:30 PM at the Essex of Salem # 1, following a long illness. He was born on January 30, 1926 in Salem, the son of the late Ralph G. and Ellen E. (Howell) Ball. He was a retired Molder from the former Pittsburgh Foundry and a member of the Salem First Baptist Church and served in the US Navy. He is preceded in death by his wife, Aseneth May Erhardt Ball, and a sister June Falk. He is survived by his brother Jerry Ball of North Carolina. Services will be held on Monday, 11 AM at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services in Salem, the Rev. Claye Folger of the church officiating. The Salem Honor Guard will perform full military honors for Howard. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the services and the burial will take place in Hope Cemetery.