Karen Fanning Ball has passed from this life on the morning of November 24, 2020.

Karen's impact during her shortened time on Earth shines in her children, coworkers and friends and echoes through the halls of Mercer County Special Services where she worked for 32 years. Karen was born the second-youngest to the late Ellen & Norman Fanning. She proudly grew up as an "army brat," and held a strong sense of patriotism throughout her life. At just fourteen, Karen began working with the "Grounds" crew at Great Adventure and quickly advanced to become a supervisor and trainer across many departments over the 30+ years that she worked there. In 1994, after ten years of hard work, Karen earned her teaching degree and began to make her mark on hundreds of students with disabilities as she enthusiastically supported each to reach their unique potential.

As her children grew up, Karen held titles like "PTO Secretary," "softball coach," "CCD teacher," "three-time triathlon finisher," and "Girl Scout cookie mom," to name a few. She was always on the go, and hardly said "no" when help was needed. Karen was the first to show up with a home-cooked meal for a family in need and always stayed up late to make those last minute cookies for the bake sale.

Over her life, Karen battled a body that betrayed her in more ways than one. Though it pains us tremendously to see her go, we are thankful her suffering has ceased and she can live without pain with her beloved God forevermore.

Karen is survived by her husband of 25 years, Bob, and children Jenevieve Patricia, Robert John, Kaylee Ellen & Jacob George as well as siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends and students on whom she had an undeniable impact.

A visitation with the family will be held Sunday, November 29th from 3-6pm at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown.  Funeral service will be held 11am on Monday, November 30th at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High Street Allentown.  Cremation will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made in Karen's name to Mercer County Special Services School District. Checks (with "Memory of Karen Ball" as the memo) can be mailed to MCSSSD, Attn: Board Office, 1020 Old Trenton Road, Hamilton, NJ 08690.