Robert W. Ross

Dollar Bay: Robert W. Ross, 94, of Dollar Bay, passed away on Thursday morning, November 16, 2017 at the Omega House in Houghton.

Military graveside services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Veterans Section of Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock conducted by the Marine Corps League and Copper Country Veterans Association.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting with the arrangements.

Dollar Bay: Robert W. Ross, 94, of Dollar Bay, passed away on Thursday morning, November 16, 2017 at the Omega House of Houghton.

Bob was born on September 13, 1923 in Northville, Michigan to the late Wallace and Florence (Lesher) Ross. He graduated from Northville High School in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in March of 1943, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Bob was discharged to the reserves in 1945 and called back to active duty during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953.

On January 5, 1946 he was married to Barbara Martin in Plymouth, Michigan and they were two months shy of their 72nd anniversary. Bob went to work for Michigan Bell in 1948, retiring in 1986 after 38 years. Barb and Bob raised their four children in Plymouth until he transferred to the Ripley telephone office in 1969 to assist in the installation of the new phone system at Michigan Tech.

Bob, along with Barb and their two sons, built their house in Dollar Bay from the ground up. He even split and mounted all the rocks on the front and side of the house. Barb and Bob enjoyed many wonderful trips including two walking tours of England, visiting their son stationed in the Air Force in Germany, and daughter and her family stationed in Hawaii. They attended the Passion Play in Oberamergau, Germany in 1990 and went on a 3-month tour of Australia and New Zealand after their retirement in 1986.

Bob loved golf and bowling and was still active in the senior golf league at Miller’s in Laurium until 2016. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching baseball. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Hancock, singing in the church choir until a couple of years ago and he also sang with the Copper Country Chorale. He was very active in the Marine Corps League Detachment #1016 and was able to attend the Marine Corps Ball this past November 4th, relishing the status as the oldest Marine and receiving the first piece of cake. In September of 2012 he was thrilled to go on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty, in-laws Mildred and Carl Martin, brother-in-law, Dudley Martin, and sister-in-law, Patricia Schroeder.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Dollar Bay; children Pat Ross of Houghton, Susan (Michael) Benard of Calumet, Jim Ross of Hancock, and Jerry (Janice) Ross of Oshkosh, WI; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a quiet and gentle man of few words but all his family knew he loved them and he will be truly missed.

Per wishes of the deceased, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Scott Lindenberg to officiate. Visitation will be from 10 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home. The Copper Country Veterans Association and Marine Corps League Detachment #1016 will hold military honors following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hancock First United Methodist Church or to the Marine Corps League, P.O. Box 354, South Range, MI 49963.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.