Joseph Ross

VAN WERT, Ohio - Joseph D. Ross, 91, Van Wert, died at 2:50 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born Aug. 5, 1920, in Mercer County, Ohio, to the late Edith (Tingley) Ross and Charles Lewis Ross. He married Eloise (Waltz) Ross and she died June 24, 1974. Then, on June 29, 1976, he married Margaret E. "Peggy" (Poling) Zeigler Ross and she died Nov. 5, 2001.

Survivors include his children: Steven Walter (Dayle) Ross of Celina, Ohio, Gina Ross (Kevin) Garabedian of Woodland Hills, Calif.; his stepchildren: William Meredith (Joanie) Zeigler and Jeffrey Stewart (Mary) Zeigler, both of Columbus, Ohio; his grandchildren: Steven Enrique Ross, Daniel Nathen Ross, Thomas Lee Ross, Timothy M. Zeigler, Tiffany Amos, Ali Holroyde and Meredith Zeigler, and several stepgrand and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son: Eric Jay Ross, and a brother: Paul Tingley Ross.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Van Wert, and owner of Joe Ross Pipeline Construction Co. from 1963 to 1982. He was a US Navy veteran of WW II serving on the U.S.S. Mississippi and other ships. He was formerly a member of the Van Wert Elks, VFW and American Legion, Willow Bend Country Club and was a Free Mason.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 at First United Methodist Church, Van Wert. The Rev. Gus Christo-Baker will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Military graveside services will be conducted by combined units of the Van Wert American Legion and VFW.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorial is the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.