Robert Ross

Robert Ross, passed away at 7:48 am, Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Lutheran Life Villages at Inverness in Fort Wayne. He was born on August 2, 1944, in Huntington, Indiana, to Ronald and Mary (Pracklett) Ross.

Robert was a 1962 graduate of Huntington High School, and received his BS from Ball State University in 1966. He married Andris E. Beghtel at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Huntington, on August 28, 1965; she died September 15, 2024. Robert taught middle school mathematics in Goshen Indiana where he also coached football and basketball, worked 20 years in group underwriting at Lincoln Life, and founded Closet Concepts in 1988, operating the business for 26 years. He was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash and the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roanoke. Robert was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed bow hunting, playing tennis, and fishing with his grandchildren. He loved traveling with Andris.

He is survived by three sons; Robert (Lisa) Ross of Plymouth, Michigan, Joseph (Michelle) Ross of Pendleton, Indiana, and Jon (Shelley) Ross of Roanoke, 13 grandchildren; Ryan Ross of Brooklyn, Michigan, Parker Ross of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lauren Ross of Irvine, Kentucky, Tristan Ross of Noblesville, Indiana, Ethan Ross, Avery Ross, and Mikala Ross all of Pendleton, Ellen (Ivan) Upshaw of Fort Wayne, Madison Ross and Preston Ross, both of Roanoke, Grace Wiltrakis of Clarkston, Michigan, and Sophia Wiltrakis and Anne Wiltrakis both of Plymouth, Michigan; brother, Roger (Janna) Ross of Morristown, Tennessee; sister, Marlene (Al) Korpi of Brighton, Michigan; and sister-in-law Karen Ross of Arvada, Colorado. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother Tom Ross.

Funeral mass will be 10:00 am, Monday, September 29, 2025, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 207 N. Cass Street, Wabash, with Father Jay Horning officiating. Entombment will be in Chapel of Remembrance Mausoleum, Wabash. Friends may call 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Sunday, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave, Wabash, with a rosary service at 8:00 pm. Preferred memorial is St. Bernard Catholic Church and School.