Dennis Michael “Mike” Ross, 63

Dennis Michael "Mike" Ross, 63, of rural Lincoln, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, at his home after his battle with small cell lung cancer.  He was born on June 19, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri, a son of Kenneth L. and Constance A. (Slavens) Ross.

After he graduated from Lee's Summit High School, he honorably served his country in the United States Army overseas during the Vietnam War from 1969 - 1971.  Upon returning from the Vietnam War in 1971, he was honorably discharged and worked as a handyman, taking on any job that came his way.

On October 21, 1977, in Independence, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Norma Fay Lowery, who survives of the home.  This union was blessed with a daughter, Christie.  They made their home in Independence.

Mike was employed with Ford Motor Company in Claycomo for 13 years before retiring and moving to rural Lincoln in May of 1989.  He was a very devoted husband and father with his family always coming first.  He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his friends and loved the times his late brother-in-law, Bob and his friend, Eugene would come down to fish with him.  Then they would all have a bonfire and a cook out with all his friends and enjoy watching the fire burn.  He always said he was the life of the party and wasn’t afraid to stir the pot.

Besides his wife, he is survived by: his daughter, Christie Michelle Ross of the home;his grandmother, Burla Lilley of Independence; his sisters, Debbie Smith of Fordland and Denise Sanders of Springfield; his brother, Mark Sanders of Philadelphia, PA;step-mother, Margaret Ross of Warsaw; and his step-sister, Laura Warren of Louisburg.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Ross, his mother Connie Jeffrey and his brother-in-law, Bob Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp, with  Pastor Kevin Barker officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery, rural Cole Camp, with military honors by the VFW Post at Lincoln.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home, with a prayer service to begin at 7:30.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Memorial Cemetery or Benton County Hospice in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.

Pallbearers will be Jim Harvey, Troy Dixon, Shawn Sommers, Justin Stark, John Hall, and Loren Lowery.