Charles E. Gross

Charles E. Gross, age 80, of Jackson Township departed into Heaven on August 23, 2013.

He was born in Akron, Ohio on November 20, 1932 to the late Roy and Mildred Gross. Charles graduated from Greensburg High School and the University of Akron, and was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force as well as the Air Force Reserves. He taught seventh and eighth grade science at Woodland and Lehman Jr. High in Canton City Schools for 30 years. Upon retirement, his love for farming became full time. His latest hobby was collecting toy John Deere tractors with all the new and old equipment.

He is survived by his wife of 60-1/2 years, Betty (Farriss) Gross; daughter, Pamela (Dennis) Dieffenbaugher; and son, Kevin (Carla) Gross, all of Jackson Twp.; grandchildren, Christy (Nick) Harp, Dr. Lindsay Dieffenbaugher, Thomas (Jessica) Gross and Patrick Gross; great-grandson, Blaine Harp; brothers, Richard (Jane) Gross and Jerry Gross (Celeste Corbett); sister, Cheryl (Carl) Massouh; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at Greensburg United Methodist Church, 2161 Greensburg Rd., Green, Ohio, with Rev. Tom Poremba officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from 10 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bell Fund, Organ Fund or church at Greensburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 155, Green, OH 44232. Graveside service and inurnment will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.