Donald Sr

Donald Eugene Gross Sr., 80, died at 12:30 p.m., Monday, December 28, 2015 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield after a period of declining health.He was born in Jerseyville on Dec. 13, 1935, one of four children born to Claude & Mildred (Bowers) Gross.A lifelong resident of Jerseyville, he graduated from Jersey Community High School, and continued to be supportive of many extra curricular activities,  following the sports teams at most away games, and serving as the Panther time keeper for 25 years at home games.  He was also instrumental in the formation of the Panther Athletic Club.He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Jerseyville, along with the former Elks and Moose Lodges.A hardworking dedicated family man, Donnie worked as a sports photographer for the former Democrat News in Jerseyville, and also had a long career with Owens-Illinois in Godfrey, retiring as a machinist in 1995 after 25 years of service.During his time with Owens, Donnie also owned the A&W Restaurant, along with his wife, for a number of years, and was a well known and respected carpenter, owning his own construction company.He married the former Marian Davis on Dec. 11, 1955 at the First Baptist Church in Jerseyville, and they just recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.Surviving are his wife, Marian Gross of Jerseyville;  three children & a daughter in law, Sheila Gross, Donald "Buster" & Kathy Gross Jr., and Ellen Frank all of Jerseyville; six grandchildren & their spouses, Jamie & Jay Jones, Avnie & Chris Pohlman all of Jerseyville, Spencer & Jessica Gross of Champaign, Sierra & Derek Maguire of Overland Park, Ks., Kayla Frank & Kristina Frank both of Jerseyville; nine great grandchildren; a sister, Lela Ferguson of Jerseyville; and a brother in law, Jimmy Vaughn of Jerseyville.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters & a brother in law, Doris & Arden Christiansen and Claudia Vaughn; a brother in law, Ronald Ferguson; and a brother in law & sister in law, Maurice & Betty Tonsor.Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Sunday until time of funeral services at 2 p.m., at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.  Father William Hembrow, and Donnie's great nephew, Rev. Andrew Scott will officiate.Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.Memorials may be given to an educational fund for his great grandchildren in care of the funeral home.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home