Donald Gary Gross

Donald Gary Gross, age 73, of Ithaca passed away Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Donald was born July 5, 1941 in Saginaw, Michigan to  Howard and Lena (Leiner) Gross. He married Mary Ann Bigelow December 18, 1993 in North Star, Michigan.

Donald was a graduate of Arthur Hill Tech in Saginaw. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps., serving from 1959-1963 and was a member of the American Legion in Ithaca. He was employed for the State of Michigan, retiring after many years of service.

Donald loved his grandchildren and will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.  He also loved to winter in Florida and every year looked forward to spending time in Clermont, Florida.

Donald is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Jill (Scott) Harriman of Swartz Creek; his step daughters Nichole Pierson of St. Johns and Arin (Reid) Williams of St. Johns; his daughter-in-law Angela Gross of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Crystal (Jason) Gugle, Gregory Jones, Rebecca Harriman, Amanda Gross, Madilynn Harriman, Abigail Gross, Zachary Pierson, Derek Pierson, Ruby Williams, Alliyah Williams;  great granddaughter Julianne Gugle; sisters, Geri Nazinski and Elizabeth Greenwood; brothers Howard Gross, Ed (Kathy) Gross, Robert Gross, Robert (Janet) Gross; mother-in-law Elsie Bigelow of Alma; father-in-law Melvin Bigelow of Clermont, FL; brother-in-law Melvin Bigelow of Vassar; sisters-in-law Susan Bigelow of Shepherd and Jill (Todd) Madary of Lake Jackson, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lena Gross; his sons, Jeffrey Gary Gross and Gregory Donald Gross; brothers, Jack, Henry, Roy; sister Donna; and his faithful companion - his dog Oliver.

Funeral services for Donald will be 3pm Monday, October 27, 2014 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Visitation will be 2-4pm and 6-8pm, Sunday, October 26 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.