Roy Paul Ballwanz "Bubba"

Roy Paul Ballwanz Sr. “Bubba”

 Passed into eternity with his Lord and Savior on April 23, 2024. Roy was born on May 1st 1937 in Evergreen Park, Illinois to Frank and Eleanor (Rose) Ballwanz. Roy was the second born identical twin to Howard, “The Twins“ sister is Donna. His family moved to the Lake County area in 1946. He and his siblings attended a one room school house in Grass Lake and a one room school house in Antioch. 

 Roy grew up in nature. NATURE was his resilience, his sustenance, his loosening and his freedom. Mother Nature was at the forefront of his biggest adventures. Roy's frequent fishing and waterfowl hunting provided much needed meals for his siblings and his parents. As a young man Roy became an entrepreneur; catching and selling fish to the local taverns.

 Roy met his wife Dorothy (Brockway) while attending high school in Antioch Illinois. Roy was an exceptional athlete: football half back, baseball baseman and a basketball guard. Roy and Dorothy graduated high school in 1955. 

 Roy and Dorothy were married on June 4th, 1955. They shared 39 years together, with their five children. In addition to being a loving husband, a caring father and an extremely hard worker, Roy continued to enjoy the great outdoors whenever he had "free time.” He often took his children and grandchildren into nature; to explore and experience the beauty and the many gifts we have been given. Roy had a true "Green Thumb" he enjoyed vegetable and floral gardening, his ability to identify plants and weeds was impressive. Roy loved bird watching, he was able to visually and audibly identify many species. Through the many years of waterfowl hunting Roy became a master waterfowl caller. He constructed numerous duck blinds with his friends, his children and his son in law. Roy enjoyed pole and fly fishing, along with winter fur harvesting. Roy was a loving husband, a dedicated father, a caring grandfather and great grandfather, good friend, hard worker, a genuinely kind person.

 For 39 years he worked at Commonwealth Edison in North Brook Illinois. Roy started in the stockroom and he quickly worked his way up to become: A Skilled Crew Leader that was highly effective in the Underground Department. Teaching his men to SAFELY splice high voltage cables was a priority. Keeping the ELECTRICITY ON was the daily goal. Many days, many nights, countless weekends and holidays were spent with his ComEd crews. He was a very proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

 Roy enjoyed watching and listening to The Cubs, The Bears, The Bulls and The Blackhawks. He was often found on the side lines of his kids athletic games, everyone knew when “BUBBA” was in attendance! Through the years Roy continued to fish, hunt and harvest fur. He was happy to "get away" with his family for weekend camping trips and yearly road trip vacations all across the USA. 

 Roy is survived by: Brother Howard (Gerry) Ballwanz, Sister Donna Lessard, His Children: Roy Ballwanz Jr.,

Kimberlee La Giglio, Jeanine Gutantes, Sherrie (Troy) Jordan, Mark (Mecca) Ballwanz, Grandchildren: Tiffany (Derek) Plotz, Courtney Wells, Joshua (Tanya) Jordan, Trevor (Irene) Wells, Gina (Rick) Hamrick, Frank La Giglio, 

Bianca Ballwanz, Merric Gutantes, Nadia Ballwanz, Great GrandChildren: Eli, Luke, August, Eylijah, Livi, Vincenzo, 

Olli, Trent, Isaiah, Maëlla

We extend our sincere THANK YOU to Jeanine and Merric, for bringing Dad into your home during the final years of his life.

We Love you Dad,

May you Rest in Peace with Mom