Brother Joseph (Earl) Ballard, C.S.C., age 77, of Notre Dame, IN, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012, at his residence.

He was born November 22, 1934 in Holy Cross, KY to John Raymond and Lillie Newton Ballard. He joined the religious order "Brothers of Holy Cross" in South Bend, IN on January 25, 1954 and served in Germany, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kentucky.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph, Philip, Gus, infant Leo Ballard and his sisters, Gertrude Thompson, Iola Osborne and infant Mary Jean Ballard.

Survivors include three brothers, Leo Ballard (Betty), James Ballard (Bernice) and Bernard Ballard (Mary), all of Holy Cross, KY, three sisters, Bertille Mattingly, Helen Cecil and Pauline Yates Lyle all of Louisville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be 11 AM Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Notre Dame Chapel, Notre Dame, IN followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery for the Brothers, Notre Dame, IN.