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Dellas Ross Obituary

Dellas M. Ross

Age 93, a pillar in the community of Dillsboro, Indiana, passed away Friday, February 22, 2013 at Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg. Dellas was born on April 23, 1919 in Manchester, IN to Kenneth W. and Alice G. (Griffith) Ross. He grew up in a loving family, and attended common school in Manchester, followed by high school in Aurora. In his younger years, Dellas was a member of the Universalist Church in Manchester. Upon graduation from high school in 1937 he was employed by Leo's Auto Store in Lawrenceburg, later attending one year at Hanover College. He returned to Leo's in 1940 and was inducted into the US Army and served from June 1941 to November of 1945. He served as a First Sgt. and Plans and Training Sgt. Following his discharge from the service he was again employed by Leo's and was manager of the Lawrenceburg Store. On April 6, 1947 Dellas married Dorothea M. (Schwing) Deaton and her five children, James, Robert, Barbara, Phyllis, and Karen. In 1948 Dellas and his family moved to Dillsboro, IN, and established the Dottie-Dell Shop, and resided on the second floor of the shop. Dellas became Manager of the Dillsboro Health Resort on April 24, 1951 and in 1965 he became part owner. At that time the resort was converted into a nursing home, and in 1969 he and Dottie took full ownership and continued to expand the business. In 1984 Ross Manor Health Care Center was built and opened. Dellas was also part owner of the Rising Sun Health Care Center and Milan Health Care. Dellas and Dottie were involved in many community improvements to the town of Dillsboro. Dellas was responsible for many of the improvements to buildings in Dillsboro as well as helping to establish the Dillsboro Village Senior Apartments and the Area 12 Council on Aging. He was a strong supporter of the Aged and Aging, and was responsible for the first R.S.V.P. in Indiana, being located in Aurora. He was Chairman of the Dearborn Social Council on Aging and volunteered many hours in the field of aging. He was Chairman of the Area 12 Council on Aging, Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Aging, served on the State Commission on Aging Board, and was a member of the State Health Facility Council. Dellas was Senator Lugar's representative to the 1981 White House Conference on Aging, and was a delegate to the 1988 National Republican Convention. On January 27, 1990 Dellas and Dottie established the Ross Foundation, whereby organizations and communities in and around Dillsboro could provide a better quality of life for its citizens. Dellas Ross is an example of a poor farm boy who with the love and support of a wonderful wife, five great children, and friends can live a beautiful life and create a memory after death. Dellas gave much to his fellow man, and gave thousands of hours of volunteering in the field of aging, as well as in his own community. He was a long time member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, and currently a member of Aurora Baptist Church, a Board member of Lifetime Resources Council on Aging, and currently a member of that board Emeritus, the board of directors of and vice president of Ripley Crossing. His life demonstrated that fulfillment in life is derived less from the accumulation of wealth than from the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts have made a difference in your community. Dellas was preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothea M. (Dottie) who passed away July 14, 2006. He leaves his children; James P. Deaton of Dillsboro, Robert L. Deaton of Stevensville, MI, Barbara J. Ruble of Scottsdale,AZ, Phyllis J. Masing of Marion, IN, and Karen L. Donahue of Tuscan, AZ, 29 grandchildren, Daughters - law, Deanna Deaton and Katina Deaton, Son-in-laws Bryan Ruble, James Masing, and Michael Donahue. Dellas passed from this life on February 22, 2013. He loved Dillsboro and all its people. He felt good about his life and the accomplishments that he and Dottie made.

As he always said -----------YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

A funeral service for Dellas will be Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from the 1st Baptist Church of Aurora(across Hwy 50 from the Aurora Fire Department) with Pastor Charles Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects to Dellas and join the family for a time of remembrance on Wednesday, February, 27, 2013 from 2-7 p.m. at the 50+ Club on Lenover St. in Dillsboro. For a more lasting tribute memorials in memory of Dellas may be made to the Oakdale Cemetery Trust Fund, C/O DeVries Funeral Home , PO Box 146, Dillsboro,IN 47018.

Published by The Indianapolis Star on Feb. 24, 2013.
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3 Entries

Yes Dellas did make a difference.With true genuine love for life and people,he is appreciated,and will be missed by many.For family and friends and all that loved him. May God's loving kindness be with you, and please be comforted by the this thought: That he (God)promises to swallow up death forever...and that he will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. Is. 25:8
~ B. Sargent Cinti. Ohio~

Bonnie Sargent

February 26, 2013

Dellas was a special friend and mentor to me and many others through the years. I loved his quote when it came to encourage others to cheerfully give to a worthy cause..."Give until it feels good!". Dellas did just that all of the years I knew him. I pray for peace and comfort for all of his family.

David Wright

February 25, 2013

I am so honored to have known and worked with you and Dottie, first at the Health Resort and later at the Manor. At one time, Mom, my sister Alice, myself and my baby sister, Debbie all worked at the Manor. Thank you for being such a serving and mentoring man. I praise God for your life, Dellas!

Linda Gulley-Zwick

February 24, 2013

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