Rev. Ronald Lee Gross, 86, of Casey, IL passed from this life to his eternal home with Jesus on Sunday, January 15, 2017, surrounded by his family at the home of his daughter, Ronda, in Newburgh, IN. He was born February 28, 1930 in Fisk, MO to the late Everett and Neva (Cooper) Gross. After growing up with three generations of his family on their farm south of Hoguetown, Ronnie answered God’s call to pastoral ministry, graduated from Casey High School in 1947, Bob Jones University in 1952, and was ordained as a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Ronnie married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn June Cramer, on July 28, 1951, and they served the Lord together for over 65 years as Ronnie pastored churches in Bethany and Trilla, IL and Chandler, IN. In 1974, Ronnie and June moved back to his home place where he pastored churches in Casey and Yale, IL, serving the New Hope Church for the last 24 years of his pastoral ministry. During his years as a pastor, he preached thousands of sermons, performed hundreds of baptisms, marriages and funerals, and served in many capacities in the communities and presbyteries where he lived, becoming a blessing to countless lives. During almost 66 years of faithful marriage, Ronnie and June beautifully modeled a life well lived to their children, grandchildren and many others.

Ronnie’s life was an inspiration to all who knew him. He humbly and generously gave his time and resources to anyone who needed it. His hospitality knew no bounds, and hundreds of people from many different countries enjoyed staying in Ronnie and June’s home. Any time was a good time for loading up the trailer with youngsters and heading back to the woods or going to the North Fork to wade or fish in the stream. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to hunt, fish and care for sheep. He planted countless trees, was a talented woodworker, and provided the farmhouse with a limitless supply of firewood. Although farming was not his vocation, it never got out of his blood, and he enjoyed raising all kinds of animals and helping his brothers and brother-in-law with work on their farms.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Eugene Gross (Marian) and Edwin Gross; one brother-in-law, Eugene Cramer; and an infant son, Phillip.

Ronnie is survived by his wife, June Cramer Gross; daughters, Venita Hooper of Chandler, IN and Ronda Reynolds of Newburgh, IN; sons, Bruce Gross (Shanna) of Casey, IL and Dan Gross (Marsha) of Newburgh, IN; grandchildren, Joshua Hooper, Philip Hooper (Amanda), Angela Hooper Mushrush (Eric), Nathan Brown, Aaron Brown, Derek Gross (Susan), Trevor Gross (Paige), Elisa Gross, Alex Gross and Emily Gross; and eight great-grandchildren who brought real joy into his last years of illness and decline. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Evelyn Gross and Kay Cramer, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 21, at New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 20975 E 2100th Ave, Yale, IL, officiated by Rev. Carroll Richards and Pastor Chris Parr with burial in the Butternut (Willow Creek) Cemetery in rural Martinsville, IL. Friends may visit from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday at the church.

Ronnie had a heart for Christian mission work. He and June opened their home to many missionaries and supported their work in many ways. The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be given to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016.

Condolences may be offered at www.marwellfuneralhome.com.

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