Dean Merrill Balls

Dean Merrill Balls, 71, passed away peacefully in his home in Fairview on Aug, 20, 2011 after a lengthy illness.

Merrill was the fifth child born to Ardell James (Cy) and Luella Barrus Balls on July 6, 1940. Dean attended school in Fairview and graduated from Star Valley High School. He received a B.S. degree in 1964 from Seattle University and went on to receive his PH.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1968 from the University of Idaho.

Merrill grew up and worked on the family farm with his five siblings and had many wonderful experiences with his family. He talked of baling hay, having an Easter egg hunt in back of a hay sleigh, fishing trips to Yellowstone and playing up the canyon behind their home with his brother Mack. He said that "growing up on a farm in Star Valley in the 1940's and 50's was like a combination of a Norman Rockwell painting and a Huckleberry Finn Story."

Merrill married Joanne Gruber in 1984 adding her three children to his four from a previous marriage. Merrill was a devoted husband and father.

Together he and Joanne started an instrument business, Design Scientific, which they ran for 27 years until his retirement and their return to Star Valley to live.

Merrill loved to travel and he and Joanne visited numerous countries during the course of their business and made many friends.

Merrill believed in hard work and his word was his bond. He was a kind and loving person who always had faith in his fellow man to do the right thing. He was so happy to retire in beautiful Star Valley and reunite with his siblings.

He is survived by his wife Joanne; children from his first marriage, Kathy, bonnie, Donna, Sara Children of Joanne, Debbie, Wendy and John; 14 grandchildren and four siblings Dennis, Martha, Marge and Mack; Dee and Jerry preceded him in death.

As he wished, his ashes will be interned at the Fairview Cemetery; Graveside services will be announced at a later date.

A website has been set up in his honor at memorialwebsites.legacy.com/deanball/hompage.aspx.