Allen C. "Al" Gross

Allen (Al) Gross, 67, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at his home, surrounded by family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 30, at St. Joseph The Worker Church in Beal City with Fr. Tom McNamara presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home, 2300 S. Lincoln Rd., on Thursday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. with the Vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Friday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hospice, St. Joseph The Worker Church, or Community Cancer Services. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Al was born February 17, 1942, in Isabella County, the son of Charles and Agnes (Grisdale) Gross. He graduated from Shepherd High School in 1961. He married Janice Jan Gruss on March 23, 1963, at Sacred Heart Church in Mt. Pleasant. He worked 15 years as a service man for Morbark Industries, and later for Bandit Industries for 19 years, retiring in 2007. The service work took him though the United States, Canada, and South America. He was noted for always having a joke to tell, his ability and determination to fix anything mechanical (old or new), and his success in catching ground moles. Most of all, he will be remembered for his quietness and his unconditional love. Some of his favorite pastimes were golfing, hunting, bowling, watching sports with his friends, western movies, and relaxing on his pontoon. But most important to him was watching his grandchildren, Alex and Taylor grow up and enjoying their activities. He adored his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Dave, and loved and cared very much for his family, especially his wife. Al is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jan Gross; daughter, Amy (Dave) Bourns of Mt. Pleasant; two grandchildren, Alex and Taylor Bourns; six sisters, Virginia Jackson of Mt. Pleasant, Marilyn Losey, Joanne Cochran, and Charlene (Ron Fellows) Gross, all of Weidman, Carol (Ken) Thomas of Pennsylvania, and Sandy (John) Straznac of Grand Haven; two brothers, Larry (Donna) Gross of Weidman and Don (June) Gross of Clio; mother-in-law, Marie Gruss of Mt. Pleasant; sisters-in-law, Rhonda (Carl) Spayd and Chari (John) Benzinger, both of Mt. Pleasant; brother-in-law, Dale Klumpp of Winn; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Klumpp; two brothers, Bob and Jack Gross; and three brothers-in-law, Jerry Losey, Alva Cochran, and Howard Jackson; and father-in-law, Bud Gruss.