John Robert “Jack” Gross, age 85 of Greenfield, and formerly of Jerseyville, died Friday, April 15, 2016 at his residence. He was born June 19, 1930 in Medora, the son of Lester and Cora Meeks Gross. He married Hazel Stringer November 18, 1951, and she preceded him in death April 17, 2001.
Surviving is a daughter, Cindy (husband Harold) Valstad of Fieldon, a son John (wife Sue) Gross of Winder, Georgia, two grandchildren, Scott and Justin Gross, three brothers, Richard (Florence) Gross of Carrollton, Marlin “Buck” (Sandy) Gross of Carrollton, Joe (Susan) Gross of St. George, Utah, and three sisters, Imogene Merrick of Buckner, Missouri, Barbara (Jerry) Guthrie of St. Clair, Missouri, and Sharon Joiner of Greenfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leroy “Cork Gross, Raymond Gross and infant brother Arnold Gross, and sisters, Sue Fry, Cecil Loy and infant sister Dorothy Gross.
Jack served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict where he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart for wounds sustained. After the war he worked for Speary-Rand New Holland Company as a combine specialist. He loved hunting, fishing and reading.
Memorial funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton with burial in Kane Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be left on-line at www.airsman-hires.com .