Jack L. Ross

Jack L. Ross was born on September 17, 1936, to John and Arlene (Koehn) Ross. He passed into eternal life on September 12, 2025 after a brief illness.

He met his future wife, Margie Willemssen, on their first day of high school and told his father that night that he was going to marry her. He was proud that he won the one girl in their class of five at Pleasant Prairie Academy in German Valley. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on August 21, 1956. She passed away on August 10, 2018.

He farmed all of his life in the Ridott / German Valley area, first with his father and then with his wife at his side. His son, Jeff, joined him in farming; and in turn they were joined by Jeff’s son, Joel. He was very loyal to International Harvester machinery and you would never find a green John Deere on his property. His voice mail message said, “If it isn’t red, keep it in the shed!”

He was a faithful, lifelong Christian and member of Silver Creek Reformed Church in German Valley where, in his time, he served as deacon and elder. He and Margie were the first couple married in the new church building.

He served on the German Valley Fire Department for fifty-four years, over thirty of them as a trustee. He was a director of the German Valley Farmers Grain Company from 1974 to 2000.

He and Margie cherished their friendships. They were master euchre players and made sure the kids learned how to play as soon as they could sit up and hold the cards. They traveled with friends to Hawaii, Alaska and other destinations. After he lost his wife, Jack's Monday morning coffee group helped fill a void in his life and meant much to him.

He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed the time they spent together, outdoors and indoors. He had fun attending many NASCAR races and baseball games with his family.

Preceding him in death were his wife; his parents; a sister, Joy Seaton; and a sister-in-law, Donna Plock.

He is survived by his son, Jeff (Diane) Ross; and his daughter, Mary (Shawn) Shianna; grandchildren Jason (Alyssa) Ross, Joel Ross, Kwynn (Nate) Yeske and Kiley (Ben) Asnis; great-grandchildren Alannah, Jackson, Amelia and Jamison Ross; Willow, Mylo, Stone and Blu Yeske; Sydney and Leo Asnis; sister Jill (Glenn) Wichman; sister-in-law Henrietta Willemssen; brother-in-law Bob Plock; and numerous cousins and uncountable friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday September 19, 2025 at Silver Creek Reformed Church, 326 S Bunker Hill Rd, German Valley, IL 61039, Rev. Nora Johnson and Rev. Grant Mulder officiating.  A visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service and also Thursday September 18, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. also at the church. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.  A memorial has been established in Jack's memory.