Howard Holman Ross

Howard H. Ross, age 88, resident of Shelby, passed away Tuesday October 3, 2017 after a brief illness while in the care of Ohio Health Hospice & Crestwood Care Center.

Born June 14, 1929 in Shelby to Orrin P. and Ethel E. (Holman) Ross, he had been a Shelby resident the majority of his life. On June 18, 1949 he married his high school sweetheart ZulaBelle Worthington. A 1947 graduate of Shelby High School, he was employed at age 18 with the Shelby Mutual Insurance Company as an insurance underwriter, retiring after 42 years. After retirement he had been employed with Pioneer Career and Technology Center holding various positions as well as owned and operated Jefferson Service Company.

Howard was a veteran of the United States Air National Guard. He was a charter member of the 164th Fighter Squadron which is a squadron within the 179th Airlift Wing and also a member of the 179th Shadow Flight. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, American Legion O’Brien Post #326, Scottish Rite, past member of the Al Koran Shrine in Cleveland and current member of the Aladdin Shrine in Columbus. Howard was a member of the Masonic Lodge F&AM 350 where he recently received his 65 year membership pin.

Howard enjoyed being active in the community. He served as the first PTA/PTO President of Dowds School, past president of the Shelby Junior Chamber of Commerce, organized the Shelby Chapter of the American Heart Association, Vice President of Shelby-Plymouth-Shiloh chapter of the American Cancer Society and also served as a City Councilman.

He and Zooty enjoyed traveling and they especially enjoyed the years they spent wintering in Florida. Their family was very important to them and they were also thankful for being included in all the extended family gatherings. When able he attended his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Alan & Joy Ross of Shelby; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Cindy & Gary Robertson of Gahanna, Oh;  Allyn Wise of Tiro;  Sheryl & Michael Pryor of Bellville; 8  grandchildren, Shawn (Robertson) & Tom Urban; Danielle (Robertson) & Kyle Fabing; Alan & Angelia Gray; Aron & Sara Wise; Kevin Ross & Laura Ross; Trevor Pryor & Toby Pryor; 12 great-grandchildren, Jason and Caiden Urban; Makenzie, Morgan and Jaxson Fabing; Tesla, Heaven and Hunter Gray; Taylor, Alivia, and A.J. Wise; and Noli ; one brother Rick & Jacqui Ross of Gardnerville NV; two sisters Paula Ross of Henderson NV; Nancy (Ross) & Stephen Rutt of Shreve Oh; one sister-in-law, Mary Worthington of Shelby; as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife ZulaBelle “Zooty” Ross in 2006; brother Kenneth Ross in 1951; granddaughter Sheri Wise in 2000; great-granddaughter Amelia Wise in 2005 and son-in-law Stephen Wise in 2013.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the Barkdull Funeral Home and Crematory in Shelby. Lay Minister Gaye Shira and Rev. S.T. Adkins will officiate with interment held in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM where Masonic Services will be conducted at 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children – Cincinnati.  Peace be to his memory.

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