Ferdinando Ballerini

Ferdinando "Nando" Ballerini, 85, of Naplate, died Friday, March 6, at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, at St. Mary's Church in Naplate with the Rev. Lourduraj Ignatius officiating. Burial will be in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery with military services. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Ottawa Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born Oct. 29, 1923, in Ladd, to Guisto "Gus" and Teresa (Pucci) Ballerini. He married Gloria Cioni March 12, 1944, at St. Mary's Church. Nando retired from Libby-Owens Ford after 43 years. He served in the Air Force for three years during World War II as an airplane engine mechanic. He was a member of St. Mary's Church and the Holy Name Society. He spent 25 years with the Naplate Volunteer Fire Department and was a Labor of Love volunteer. He is survived by his wife, Gloria; two daughters, Arlene (Richard) Esgate of San Diego, and Gloria (Mark) Prince of Ottawa; one son, Frederick (Lynda) Ballerini of Milwaukee; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Victor Ballerini. Pallbearers will be Mark Prince, Fred Ballerini, Richard Esgate and Michael, Matthew and Nathan Lynott. Memorials may be directed to the family.