Carmen M. "Nana" Ballenger

A memorial service celebrating the life of Carmen M. Nana Ballenger, age 82, of Newark, will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 9, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Pastor Rusty Foley officiating. Friends may call from 4-6 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street, Newark.Carmen was born March 18, 1934 in New York, New York to the late Domingo Gomez and Lyda (Marin) Rodriguez. She passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center (operated by Hospice of Central Ohio).Carmen had been a waitress at Brookside Country Club in Columbus. She was a memory of Victory Baptist Church in Etna and enjoyed crossword puzzles, crafting, quilting and cross stitch.She is survived by four children, Elizabeth (Eric) Brown, Phillip (Nan) Van Walsen of Galloway, Michelle Van Walsen and Scott (Tami) Van Walsen, all of Newark; numerous grandchildren; sisters, Santa I. Guzzo of Denver, CO and Nilda Pickens of Mesa, AZ; sister-in-law, Nancy Chandler of Columbus; and several nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Edgar Ballenger in 2000; and by a son, Steven Van Walsen; and a sister, Arlita Hietkamp.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Carmen and her family.