Edward Charles Ballinger, 65, Vincennes, IN passed away on February 25, 2026 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN.
He was born in Peru, IN on December 28, 1960 to Edward and Diana (Smith) Ballinger.
He was a 1979 graduate of Peru High School. He attended Manchester College for one year where he played football and then went to Vincennes University where he majored in Broadcasting and graduated in 1984.
On September 20th, 1986 he married Jill (Dedrick) Ballinger and they would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. Together they had two children, Nathan (Hope) Ballinger of Lapel, IN and Jensen Ballinger of Vincennes, IN. One granddaughter, Ava Elizabeth Ballinger of Lapel, IN. His parents survive along with his sister, Geri (Robert) Johnson of Hilton, NY, his mother-in-law, Anna Dedrick of French Lick, IN, his fur babies, “The Boys”, Jax and Marco, plus the grandpups, Bruzer and Wynonna.
Ed was known throughout the community for his work on the radio at WZDM and WAOV. His voice could be heard each morning getting your day started with weather, sports and whatever he had in store for the day. He also had done the afternoon drive on WZDM and had been the host of WAOV’s Morning Chat (Knox County Today). He was the longtime voice of the Vincennes Rivet Patriots, calling basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer games. He most recently was the Voice of the Vincennes Lincoln Alices before becoming ill. He met so many people and made so many friends working for The Original Company. Ed was known as one of the best interviewers around. He made people feel at ease, they had fun and they promoted their information to the community. He always made interviews about the people and that was why he was so admired.
Ed is a long time member of Community Church of Vincennes where he has served on a variety of different committees over the years. He also had coached in various youth leagues when his kids were younger.
He was very proud of his kids and enjoyed watching them play high school sports and even calling some of their games. He was even prouder to see both of them take their talents and play college sports, Nathan, football at Kentucky Wesleyan and Jensen, volleyball and softball at Blackburn College.
Ed enjoyed traveling with his family and they had made several trips over the years to Florida, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina and of course to Miami, to watch his beloved Miami Dolphins.
He was preceded in death by a son born prematurely, great niece, Juliet Marianetti, and his father-in-law, Richard Dedrick.
The family would like to thank the Vincennes University Primary Care Center for all of their care and support of Ed along with Good Samaritan Hospital, the University of Chicago Medicine and the nurses and doctors at St. Vincent Hospital, especially the MICU unit.
Friends may visit with Ed’s family from 3-7 pm on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Community Church of Vincennes, 1548 S. Hart Street Road, Vincennes, IN 47591 and from 10:00 am until service time of 11:00 am on Friday. Ed’s funeral service will begin at 11:00 am on Friday, March 6, 2026 at the church with Rev. Scott Soderling officiating. In lieu of the flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Community Church of Vincennes, the Vincennes Animal Shelter or the Isaiah 117 House of Knox County. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Ed and his family.
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