Kenneth R. Ross

Kenneth R. Ross, 96, of Willshire, Ohio passed away Thursday, May 13, 2021, at Adams Memorial emergency room.

He was born on January 16, 1925 in Mercer County, Ohio to the late Bruce Lee Ross and the late Beatrice L. (Krugh) Ross.

Kenneth was united in marriage to Donna L. Tope on March 1, 1947, at Wren United Brethren Church and she preceded him in death on November 14, 2016, after 69 years of marriage.

Kenneth proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army, being awarded the Purple Heart during his combat action in France and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was a member of the Willshire American Legion Post #207 and the oldest member of the Post.

Kenneth was long time farmer in Willshire and was employed for International Harvester and retired with 27 ½ years of service.

Ken & Donna enjoyed traveling and taking trips to their vacation home in Mountain Home, Arkansas along with their home at Big Lake near Columbia City. He loved to take his grandchildren fishing early in the morning before the sun came up. Ken appreciated the close knit community that was Willshire, Ohio, where neighbors looked after neighbors. He served as the Grand Marshall of Willshire Days in 2017. Ken also bowled for the American Legion Post #207 for many years.

He is survived by a son, Donald L. Ross of Ohio City, Ohio; daughter, Darla J. (Max) Case of Convoy, Ohio; son, Michael K. (Janie Tinkham) Ross of Willshire, Ohio; daughter, Karen S. (Terry) Tinkham of Decatur, Indiana; sister, Rosemary Charleston of Van Wert, Ohio;brother, Lanny (Nell) Ross of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, Paul D. Ross of Convoy, Ohio; 10 grandchildren, Chris (Kendra) Case, Candi (Sean) Walker, Casey (Kevin) Black, Christa (Kyle) Sherman, Matt (Heidi) Tinkham, Mark (Roxanne) Tinkham, Luke Tinkham, Troy (Tiffany) Ross, Josh Ross, and Nate Ross; 19 great grandchildren, Mckenzi (Ford) Tatum, Christian Case, Chloee Case, Finley Case, Kendall Black, Charlotte Black, Stella Sherman, Addison Ross, Nicole Ross, Grace Ross, Caleb Ross, Joel Ross, Nevaeh Ross, Cole Ross, Zoe Ross, Ryan Tinkham, Riley Tinkham, Tyler Tinkham, and  Trent Tinkham;  seven step great grandchildren, Haley Walker, Lexie Walker, June Sherman, Chance Van Fleet, Jayden Black, Keaton Black and Jalyn Ross.

Ken was preceded in death by his son, Ray A. Ross; two brothers, Lowell J. & Keith E. Ross; and a sister, Irene Tumbleson.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur with Pastor Robert Shook officiating. Graveside Military Honors will be conducted by Willshire American Legion Post # 207. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, Ohio.

Friends and family will be received from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to Wren EMS, Van Wert Visiting Nurses and Hospice, or Rockford Belle Community Church.

Arrangements are by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, in Decatur, Indiana.