Gary John Ross, 89, of Mahomet, Illinois, and formerly of Perry died at home at the Glenwood Assisted Living in Mahomet, Illinois, at 10:10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
Funeral services will be held graveside at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa, at 11 a.m. on Sept. 20.
Gary was born March 9, 1936, in Perry, Iowa, the son of Addison Clark and Clarice Helen (Moody) (Clark) Ross. After Clarice and Addison divorced, Clarice married George Vail Ross. Vail adopted Gary and gave him his last name.
Vail, who was widowed, had three daughters, Margie (Francis) Coyne, Ruth (Howard) Porter and Marian (Ray) Gardiner. Gary has one half-sister, Elizabeth (Liz) (Clark) Hansen, and a half brother, John Clark.
Gary is survived by the daughters from his first marriage, Kristi (Mike) Ross and Kelly (Mike) Harrity; along with his step-children from his second marriage, Jeff (Bridget) Johnson, Brad (Shelly) Johnson, David Johnson and Liza (Orlando) Thomas; 13 thirteen grandchildren; and 11-and-a-half great-grandchildren.
Gary married Mary Elizabeth (Liz) (Wilcox) Johnson Ross of Perry in 1985. They lived in Illinois and Nebraska during their marriage, but upon his retirement, they returned to Perry.
In every yard he ever had, Gary had a beautiful lawn. When Liz came into his life, she added amazing flowers and landscaping that they both took great joy in nurturing every year.
Gary completed all his schooling in Perry and graduated high school in 1954. Upon graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at McClellan AFB in California. He was honorably discharged in 1958.
He then attended the University of Iowa for two years before leaving to start working.
His was preceded in death by his parents, wife, half-brother and his three step-sisters.
