David R. Moross

1929 - 2025

David R. Moross
Frankfort, MI
01/09/1929 - 03/03/2025
While his absence leaves a void in our hearts, we take comfort in knowing that our father, David Moross, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, at the age of 96, deeply loved and cherished by everyone who knew him.
Dave was born on Jan. 9, 1929, in Witt, Ill., to John Moross and Elizabeth Kruzich. His family moved to Michigan when he was five years old. He was two and a half years younger than brother John, his only sibling.
After graduating from Highland Park (Mich.) High School in 1946, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Army and served an 18-month stint, as a chef "Technician 3rd Class", in the 511th Parachute Infantry during the initial occupation of Japan between the Korean War and WW II. He completed basic training at Fort Lee in Virginia before being stationed for 15 months at Tachikawa Air Base on the northern tip of the Japanese island of Honshu. He completed 22 jumps as a paratrooper during his brief military career.
He met the love of his life, Leona Edwards, soon after an honorable discharge from the Army. The two were married in 1950 and remained so until Leona's passing in 2011. Dave spent the bulk of his working career as a die designer for Fisher Body Division of General Motors headquarters in Warren, Mich., before retiring and moving to Canadian Lakes, Mich., in the late 1980s. For most weekdays of his kids' young lives, he was up and out the door, on his way to work, before they were out of bed and getting ready for school.
An avid outdoorsman for most of his life, Dave took great pleasure in activities such as camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing during his early and middle-age years. He developed a keen interest in the bow and arrow in his 30s, and at one time had an entire mantel at home adorned with trophies from archery competitions. He seldom would turn down the opportunity to tip a beer with relatives, favorite neighbors and friends.
More than anything else, he was a devoted family man who enjoyed nothing better than sharing holidays and other special occasions with his loved ones. He was married to the same woman for over six decades, and together they raised six children. They got together with all six, along with five grandkids, a future daughter-in-law and three sons-in-law, for a week-long celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in the Turks and Caicos. He and family members also attended several Wheatland Blue Grass Festivals while Dave lived in Canadian Lakes. He was a big fan of blue grass and country western music, which he could listen to for hours at a time while driving too various destinations in Michigan and beyond.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona; his older brother, John; and his fourth of Five daughters, Kelly (Jeff Hornbeck).
He is survived by daughters Susan Moross, of Harrison Township, Mich.; Dawna (Dale) Tennant, of Presque Isle, Mich.; Holly (Robert) Kurzmann, of Benzonia; and Tracy Moross Bailey, of Benzonia; son David Moross and daughter-in-law Amy Coyle, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandsons Scott Bailey of Benzonia; Nicholas Tennant of Royal Oak, Mich.; Jacob Kurzmann of Sterling Heights, Mich; granddaughters Jessie Peterson and Madison Madden, both of Denver, Colo.; great grandson Dustin Bailey, of Marquette, Mich.; and many nieces and nephews.
Dave's legacy will forever live on through the countless lives he touched and the lessons he taught us. Though we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the wonderful life he lived. To honor that life and share the memories we treasure, a viewing (10 a.m.), funeral Mass (11 a.m.) and luncheon will be held at St. Ann of Frankfort Catholic Church, 508 Crystal Ave., on Saturday, June 14, 2025, over Fathers' Day Weekend. We also invite all to gather with us afterward at the Benzie County Eagles Lodge, 71 Lake St., in Frankfort. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Benzie Senior Resource Center or Bayside Wellness. Arrangements are with Jowett Family Funeral Home, Benzonia.
Thank you for being the best father any of us could have asked for. We love you; we miss you, and we will continue to make you proud. Rest in peace, dear Dad.