Edgar Ross

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend Edgar “Ed” F. Ross, 83, of St. Joseph, was called home to Jesus on Monday, January 9, 2017 surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Glenn Rosenbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or St. Joseph Public School Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ed was born on October 21, 1933, to Otto and Hulda (Hettig) Ross in Eau Claire, MI.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School where he was a standout athlete playing, football, baseball and was captain of the 1951 state basketball championship team.  After high school, he served in the US Army and attended Western Michigan University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business. On August 23, 1958, “Eggie” married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Mashke at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before her death in 2014.  Ed owned and operated City Plumbing & Heating Company for over forty years. He also served on multiple local boards including St. Joseph Improvement Association, St. Joseph Savings Bank, Grace Lutheran Church, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, and was a member of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club and the St. Joseph High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Most of all, Ed cherished time spent with his family, especially creating memories at Ford Lake, Siesta Key and Disneyworld. He will be greatly missed by his 5 children, Stephen (Elizabeth) Ross, Carey (Karon) Ross, Cheryl (Chuck) Bonnema, Michael (Connie) Ross and Susan (Ralph) Newland. “Bumpa” also adored and shared in the lives of his 15 grandchildren, Ryan (Brooke), Patrick, Molly, Peter, Carey Jr., Connor, Casey, Elise (Justin), Grace, Ethan, Brady, Ross, Christopher, Benjamin, and Joshua. He is also survived by his brother, Gerhart “Gay”  Ross; sister, Edna Volkers and sisters-in law, Judy MarCoullier and Janet McPharlin. Ed was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Ann, grandson, Bennett Ross, his parents, brother Herb and sisters Gerda Demkovich, Betty Pedde and Anita Ross.