Shirley Leroy Ballew, 95, of Warrensburg, Missouri, died Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Warrensburg Veterans Home.

The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Pete Beard officiating.  Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg with Full Military Graveside Honors provided by American Legion, Post #131 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #2513.  Pallbearers will be Lyle Horner, Jeff Hanna, Mike Hanna, Nick Hanna, Stephen Hanna, Jack Mantell and John Mantell.

Shirley was born June 20, 1920, in Princeton, Missouri, the son of John Harvey Ballew and Loretta Pauline (Pittman) Ballew. Following graduation from Princeton High School, he farmed until entering the U.S. Air Force. During the four years he served, Shirley was an Air Land Maintenance Tech Sergeant 750. He was also a rifle marksman and carbine expert, took part in the Air Offensive in Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and the Central Europe Campaign. He was awarded 6 Bronze Stars for the campaigns, Good Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge GO 34 WD.

Following his discharge from active duty in 1945, Shirley returned to Princeton where he resumed farming and he was also an auto mechanic. Later, he worked at the Lake City Arsenal for one and a half years prior to being united in marriage to Roxie Pauline Beard Hanna on July 14, 1952 in Kansas City, Kansas. The couple made their home in Warrensburg. He worked at the Chevrolet-Cadillac Dealership and Paul McFerrin Garage, CMSU (now UCM) for eight years, Johnson County Memorial Hospital (Now Western Missouri Medical Center) for six years and later, the Hanna-Ragland Clinic until he retired. He was a member of American Legion Post #131. His hobbies included hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his sister: Bobbe Lou of Bates City, MO; stepdaughter: Rita Fern (Hanna) Mantell and husband, Dr. John Moore Mantell of Layton, UT; step-daughter-in-law: Marguerite Joann (Cooper) Hanna of Warrensburg; step grandchildren: Stephen Allen Hanna and wife, Sherrilyn Annette of Warrenton, VA; Dr. Michael Allen Hanna and Anne of Warrensburg; Jeffery Allen Hanna and Donna of Warrensburg; John Moore Mantell and wife, Joni of Layton, UT; Linda Michelle May of Springfield, MO; and Janet Renee King of Layton, UT; four great grandsons; six great granddaughters; twenty four nieces and nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Roxie; brothers: John J., William E., and Winton O.; sisters: Cuma E., Virginia L., and Margaret J.; and stepson: Dr. Hugh Allen Hanna.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Warrensburg Veterans Home.

Online condolences may be left at williamsfuneralchapel.net.