text size

Pataskala Mother Grieving the Loss of Son, Daughter

Updated: Wednesday, February 6 2013, 08:16 PM EST
PATASKALA --   A central Ohio mother will attend her son's funeral on Thursday while still mourning the loss of her daughter.

Lori Ballman’s son, James, died on February 2, in what is believed to have been an accidental shooting.

Lori says a friend of her son’s accidentally killed him while handling James's gun.

“From my understanding, they thought the gun was unloaded,” Lori said.

Lori said her son just turned 20, and was well-mannered and loved by those who knew him.

James's funeral will mark the second time in less than a year that Lori will have to bury one of her children. Her daughter, Deanna, was found dead in the backseat of a car in Delaware County in August, 2012.

Deanna Ballman was 9 months pregnant at the time of her death. The baby did not survive.

Lori told ABC 6/FOX 28 her grief is compounded by financial worries brought about by her son's death.

"I just don't know how I'm going to make it with expenses and [the] funeral," Lori said. "My family, we work, but we just make ends meet."

Anyone interested in assisting the Ballman family with funeral expenses can make a donation at Hoskinson Funeral Home in Kirkersville, Ohio.

---------------------------------

Reporter: Maria Durant
Web Producer: Ken HinesPataskala Mother Grieving the Loss of Son, Daughter