Dr. Joseph Gross

Dr. Joseph McPherson Gross, known to most as Mac and later as Doc, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois. He was 87.
He was born in Portland, Oregon, on March 6, 1938, to Joseph Cleveland Gross and Mary Lois Archer Gross. His family later moved to Russell Kansas where he grew up on the Saline Valley Angus Farm where his father raised registered Angus cattle. Mac attended Hornview, a one-room schoolhouse, Russell High School, and Kansas State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1959 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1962. He was the sixth member of his family to graduate from K- State's College of Veterinary Medicine – following four of his uncles and one aunt.
On July 17, 1960, in Osawatomie, Kansas, he married Jean Ann Koerner Gross (who passed away in 2002) and he became a captain in the U.S. Army, stationed at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah, where he was the camp veterinarian. Later in the mid-1960s Mac and Jean relocated to Winchester, Illinois, where Mac joined his uncle William Gross as a partner in the Gross Animal Clinic for over 50 years. Dr. Gross was so devoted to animals of all kinds. Stories are told that he would often receive boxes of produce on his doorstep in exchange for services rendered where clients couldn't pay their bills.
Mac was a very social guy who enjoyed meeting at the local café each morning for a cup of coffee. In his younger, healthier days, he spent much of his free time hunting, fishing, hunting arrowheads and axes and was a passionate collector of antiques of all kinds. He was a huge history buff and loved to read. He was always seen with some type of book in his hands. Mac never met a stranger and was vibrantly interested in other people and curious about a variety of cultures and ways of life.
On August 15, 2006, he married Karen Lorton and she survives. They moved to White Hall, Illinois and have spent many years traveling together, including their favorite annual Indian market in Albuquerque, antiquing and spending time at their winter home in Everglades, Florida. One of his most memorable highlights, in recent years, was taking the Freedom Flight to Washington D.C. along with other fellow military veterans.
Dr. Gross was an active K- State alum and legacy and was known for his witty sense of humor. He so loved his alma mater that he is known for writing small letters and messages to loved ones on his purple and white K-State stationery and was a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. He faithfully wore his Chiefs cap while watching their games on TV, right up until the weekend before he died. Though he struggled with illness in his last years, he remained intelligent, funny and observant. It was his wish to live at home to the end, and with the care of his wife Karen, he was able to do so.
In addition to his first wife Jean, he was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister Janis Schwab, who died in 2018.
He is survived by his children Angela Sue Gross and Michael Joseph Gross (husband Steve Roberts); and two stepchildren, Leith Lorton and Kendra Lorton Sandum (husband Christer). Also surviving are his sister Linda Brauner (husband David), many nieces and nephews, and three step-grandchildren, Brittany, Berit and Audun.
He was cremated, and there will be a small private celebration of life with family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Mandy's Whine and Bark Animal Rescue in White Hall, Illinois.
Dr. Gross will be met by his favorite dog Puppy Girl at the Rainbow Bridge.
Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall is assisting the family. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com