Ross
ROSS, Raymond Eugene - September 20, 1981.
Survived by wife, Kareen C. Ross, Donelson; four sons, William, Michael and Richard Ross all of California, Robert Ross, Nashville; mother, Mrs. Elsie Baker, California; four brothers, George Ross, Kansas, Elmer Ross, Dennis and William Baker, all of California, two sisters, Barbara Kroll and Peggy Baker, both of California. Remains are at Hibbett and Hailey Funeral Home. Graveside services, 1:00 Thursday at the National Cemetery. P.S.G. U.S. Army. Employee of Holiday Inn. HIBBETT AND HAILEY FUNERAL HOME, 883-2361
Erika Marie Ross July 7, 2008
ROSS, Erika Marie - Died July 7, 2008 at the age of 83, after surviving a stroke and a heart attack in late May 2008. She was born August 21, 1924 in Lich, Hessen, Germany, as Erika Marie Schley, of parents Augusta and Minna Schley. After moving to the US with her husband Army Pvt. Raymond E. Ross, Erika and Ray came to settle in Compton, CA. Even though she knew no English, she quickly learned the language and customs of a new country. She worked hard to take care of her boys, sewing clothes, cooking and cleaning the Lutheran church. She began working as a Claims Adjuster for Blue Shield of CA in 1970 and retired from there in 1994. Erika moved to Swartz Creek, MI in 1995, joining her son Michael and wife Diane. Her son Richard soon followed. There she lived alone in her own home, and spent her time honing her cooking and gardening skills and sewing clothes, quilts and other items for herself and others. She was always ready with a hot cup of tea and some homemade treat for any friend or family who stopped in to visit her. Fiercely independent, Erika survived and quickly recovered from a broken femur bone in 2006. Struck again with a broken femur on the other side in 2007, she bounced back and went back home after only a couple of weeks of rehab. She suffered a heart attack and left-side stroke in May 2008. After about 3 weeks in the hospital, she went for recovery at Caretel Inn in Brighton, MI. She was progressing well and was determined to go home once again, when she died suddenly on the way to the hospital on July 7. Surviving are: six sons, Uwe Mende and wife Brigitte, Eitel Korndorfer and wife Renate, Bill and wife Carol, Mike Ross and wife Diane, Rick Ross and wife Rebecca, Bob Ross and wife Michelle; thirteen grandchildren, Christian Mende Daniella Mende, Rachel Ernst, Nathan Taubitz, Sarah Taubitz, Ivonne Krissler, Brian Ross, Megan Ross, Timothy Ross, Kristin Ross, Kelsey Ross, Ashley Ross and Bobby Ross; and five great-grandchildren, Laura Mende, River Taubitz, Maia Taubitz, Evan Ernst and Meredith Ernst. Erika had many fond friends who together with family will miss her dearly. Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the clubhouse at Silver Creek Village, 5100 Elms Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473 with Rev. Mary Lloyd officiating. Service will begin at 5:00 p.m. with food and fellowship following. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association at americanheart.org. Cremation has taken place. "A woman is like a tea bag, you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." Nancy Reagan
