John H. Gross, 77, for over a half century a resident of Blackford County, died Thursday night [September 28, 1939] at 10 o’clock at his home, four miles south of Hartford City on Slate Road 3.
Mr. Gross’ death, attributed to heart disease, was the result of a two-day illness. While his health had been impaired for about two years, he was able to be active in his work. Wednesday he suffered the attack which resulted in his death.
A well-known farmer in this county for the past fifty years, Mr. Gross had resided south of the city for some time. He was first married to Minnie Bowman who died in 1925. He later married Laura Hiatt of Delaware County who survives.
Besides the wife, four children survive. They are Ira B. Gross near Roll; Earl Gross of Bluffton; Mrs. Hazel Parker of Colorado and Dorothy Cheesman, wife of Clinton Cheesman, south of the city. Ten grandchildren survive, also two brothers, Will Gross, south of Hartford City and Jim Gross of Dayton, Ohio and a sister, Mrs. Will Dodds of Muskegon Heights, Mich.
Mr. Gross was a member of the United Brethren Church of this city and also was a member of the IOOF Lodge.
The body was removed to the Burk & Fennig Funeral Home to be prepared for burial and will be returned to the home to await funeral plans.
Funeral services will be conducted from the United Brethren Church in this city, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. The Rev. R. H. Turley of Indianapolis and the Rev. W. R. Montgomery of this city will have charge. Burial will be made in the IOOF Cemetery here.
The Hartford City News Times, September 29, 1939
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman