Donald T. Ballard
July 1, 1899-June 19, 1950
Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 19, 1950; page 1, column 8, microfilm, Niles District Library
Donald T. Ballard, 50, of Niles, and Charles A. Schue, 55, Benton Harbor, were killed in Separate traffic accidents yesterday and today at Mishawaka and Benton Harbor.
Taxi Collides with Bus
Mishawaka, June 19-(Special)- Donald T. Ballard, 50, or rural route four, Niles, was killed instantly and a passenger in the cab he was driving was injured when the cab collided with a DeLux Motor Stage bus at 12:06 a.m. today about a half mile east of here on US-33.
(Illegible text) neck and head injuries, a possible skull fracture, and shock. None of the 40 bus passengers was injured.
Made Unexpected Turn
John B. Nance, of Dearborn, driver of the bus, said that he was in the middle lane about to pass the cab, when Ballard made an unexpected left turn and the bus crashed into the cab, throwing it about 135 feet. Both vehicles were eastbound out of Mishawaka.
Nance told St. Joseph county, Ind., sheriff’s officers that he had signaled with this lights and horn before trying to pass. The cab was in the right hand lane, he said. The cab was demolished and the front end of the bus smashed.
Veteran of World War I
Ballard was born in Niles on July 1, 1899, and lived there all his life. He married Louise Hudak in South Bend on Sept. 8, 1945. He was employed by the Indiana Cab company of South Bend,
A veteran of World War I, Ballard was a member of the Niles Knights of Columbus. Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Ralph, and a daughter, Kathleen May, both at home.
The body was taken to the Bubb funeral home in Mishawaka and then to the Kiger funeral home in Niles. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.