Rodney Scott Gross

Rod, age 70, died Friday evening, March 20, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI following a brief illness. Rod, the son of Emory B. and Viola M. (Eby) Gross, was born in Elkhart, IN on October 30, 1949; was a lifetime area resident and a 1967 graduate of Portage (MI) Central High School. He retired after 32 years of faithful service as a Signalman for the Norfolk Southern Rail Road. Rod was an avid golfer; loved to travel and was a "Die-Hard" Cubs Fan. Rod was married to the former, Anna Marie (Horswill) Waligursky in Vistula, IN on August 15, 1998 and she survives. Also surviving is his son, Jeffery (Jennifer) Gross of Battle Creek, MI; a granddaughter, Maddison Gross; his brother, Mitchell Gross of Kalamazoo; a step-son, Daniel (Christina) Waligursky of Portage and three step-grandchildren, Ali, Logan and Sawyer Waligursky. Rod was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dennis Gross. Due to the current health crisis, a memorial service to celebrate Rod's life at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland and interment at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland, are on hold. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rod's honor may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. The Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation, Richland Chapel (269-629-6022) is assisting Rod's family. Personal messages and/or favorite memories of Rod may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com