Jean Ann (Miller) Gross

    Jean Ann Gross, devoted wife, loving mother, and grandmother, age 84, of Elsie, MI passed away peacefully Sunday, April 2, 2023, at her home.

     Funeral Services will be held at East Washington United Brethren Church, Ashley, MI at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 8, 2023, with Mr. Jeff Gross officiating. Burial will take place at Marion Township Cemetery, Marion Township, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 6-8 P.M. and Friday, April 7, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI.  Visitation will also be held on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.

     Jean was born in Lakefield Township, MI on August 18, 1938, the daughter of Melvin and Arlene (Hodges) Miller.  She graduated in 1957 from Merrill High School and went on to Saginaw Valley State College later in life to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Education. Jean married her high school sweetheart, Franklin H. Gross, Jr. in Brant, MI on August 17, 1957; celebrating sixty-five years of marriage.

    Jean retired as a teacher working in Christian schools.  She loved to dance and sing.  Jean was a talented cake decorator and loved to bake.  She was a fierce competitor in Corn Hole, Euchre and other card games.  Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great joy. She and Franklin went everywhere together, always holding hands.  They made friends everywhere they went. Jean was dedicated to serving her church, Chapin United Methodist.  She loved our Lord with her whole heart and led by example. 

    She is survived by  her husband Franklin Gross, Jr., of Elsie, MI; son Franklin and Cynthia Gross of Elsie, MI; son Jeff and Laura Gross of Wadsworth, OH; daughter Deann and Bradley Smith of Elsie, MI; seventeen grandchildren: Nick (Tricia) Guzinski, Liza Gross (Brendan Sutliff), Franklin Gross IV, Levi Gross (Gracen Rogers), Korie Gross, Kent Gross, Jake Gross, Jaiden Gross, Paige Gross, Josh (Andrea) Tithof, Raelea Gross, Brendan Chobod, Ryan Smith, Carlie (Daniel) Escamilla, Weston Smith, and Danny Smith; five great-grandchildren: Olivia Fuller, Hayley and Gage Guzinski, Danny and Jackson Escamilla; brothers: Jim and Geri Miller of Corunna, MI, Robert and Jan Miller, of Merrill, MI, Dean and Deb Miller of St. Charles, MI; sisters: Joyce Weigold of Brant, MI, JoAnn and Walt Kroll of Beaverton, MI, Jenney Wendling of Saginaw, MI, Lucille Maier and Jim Kennedy of Elsie, MI, Carla Brown of Brant, MI, Fran and David Thiel of Chesaning, MI; sisters-in-law Lois Miller of Brant, MI; Martha Miller of Ashley, MI; brothers-in-law Mike Petricevic of Midland, MI; Jim Newvine of Oakley, MI.   Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her son Michael Gross, sisters: Peggy Miller and Bonnie Petricevic, brothers: Lowell "Sonny" (Joan) Miller, Howard "Butch" Miller, Richard Miller, and Don MacDonald, brothers-in-law: Marvin Weigold, Ken Maier, Floyd Brown, Gerald Gross, and Frank (Beulah) Gross, and sister-in-law Mary Newvine.

    Memorials may be made to Chapin United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.