Services were held March 11 at Gospel Open Bible Church in Jefferson for Dale Ross, 76, of Jefferson.
Pastor Chad Cummings and Denny Ross offered words of comfort. Honorary bearers were Corey Ross, Cole Ross, Kasey Ross, Allister Yeager, Asher Yeager and Paxton Yeager.
Casket bearers were Rick Ross, Rob Ross, Bret Ross, Jesse Ross, Anthony Yeager and Zac Ross. Military honors were provided by a United States Marine Corps honor guard, and the VFW and American Legions posts of Jefferson. Interment will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery in Wall Lake at a future date.
Dale Ross, age 76, passed away peacefully Friday, March 6, 2020, in his home in Jefferson. He was born on February 14, 1944 at his home in Corning, to Clarence and Marie Ross. He had two older brothers, Don and Dean, along with younger siblings Darrell, Sharon, Dennis, David and Danny. He had one older sister, Emma, who preceded him in death.
Dale moved often throughout his childhood as his dad took farm jobs. He was a football player in high school and went on to play at Buena Vista College for a short time.
Dale is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967-1970, and over half his service was spent serving in the Vietnam War. He was a high paced Marine who earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (x2), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Two Stars, Unit RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. His job as a Marine was as a tracked vehicle repairman and he specialized in armored tank recovery. During his time in the Marine Corps he achieved the rank of sergeant.
After returning home from the Vietnam War he began a lifelong career in construction. He could do it all and he did. If it needed fixed or built, he could do it. He ran his own cement company and had many crews of construction laborers. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with anyone he could and teaching anyone who wanted to learn.
He married his current wife, Linda Ross, on November 4, 1977. They recently celebrated 42 years of marriage. They were best friends and partners in life. Those who knew them even for a short time could see the love they had for each other.
Dale was an incredible, loving and kind father. He had six sons, Bret, Rick, Rob, Jesse, Jeff and Scott, along with three daughters, Renee, Randi and Deb. He loved his sons and daughters-in-law like his very own as well: Anthony, Lonnie, Lisa, Barb, Jessica and Kara. He always put his family first and would move the world for his children. He was a very hard worker and took pride in that. He worked hard to provide for his family, and he took care of those around him.
Dale had 17 grandchildren: Corey, Hope (Danny Ward), Cole, Zac (Rachel Weber), Zoey, Kasey, Ava, Riley, Grace, Allister, Asher, Paxton, Marissa, Sydney, Vanessa, Shelby and Andrea; and five great-grandchildren: Bryson, Mya, Cale, Isabel and Jaxtyn. His grandchildren were his world. They brought a light out in him that no one else could. He made memories to last a lifetime with them and was with them any chance he had. The pride he took in his grandchildren is unmatched.
He enjoyed gardening and always had the biggest and best gardens. He fed many families with his juicy tomatoes and perfectly grown sweet corn. He had recently started working maintenance at the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson and took great pride in sharing his knowledge with everyone there.
He is survived by his wife Linda; children Bret (Lisa) Ross, Rick (Barbara) Ross, Renee (fiancé, Lonnie Hill) Ross, Robert (Jessica) Ross, Jesse (Kara) Ross, Randi (Anthony) Yeager, Jeff (Melanie) Ross, Deb (Chad) Lynch and Scott Ross; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings Don (Lila) Ross, Dean (Ada) Ross, Darrell (Carol) Ross, Sharon Hickey, Dennis (Linda) Ross, David Ross and Dan Ross; along with many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Marie Ross; Emma Ross, Kevin Ross, Mike Ross, Tom Hickey and the friends he lost during the Vietnam War.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
