Name: Visitation for Ross Leland Shepherd
Start: 2019-07-28T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-07-28T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory - Galesburg

ONEIDA - Ross Leland Shepherd, 85, Oneida, died Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at home.

Ross was born Dec. 2, 1933, on the family farm near Rio, the son of Joseph W. and Ethel (Robertson) Shepherd. He married the love of his life, Patricia Ruland, on June 27, 1954, in Galesburg. They enjoyed almost 55 years of marriage until her passing on April 22, 2009.

Ross is survived by one son, Bruce, of Fenton, Missouri; two daughters, Bonnie Shepherd-McCommons of Kewanee and Brenda (Dan Eagle) Shepherd of Oneida; two grandchildren, Patrick (Johnnie) McCommons and Erin (Jake) Stevenson; four great-grandchildren, Isabelle McCommons, Liam Stevenson, Tess McCommons and Lydia Stevenson; and three stepgreat-grandchildren, Paige, Morgan and Leah Hamilton.

Along with his parents and wife, Ross was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Shepherd; one sister, Margaret Rushing; and one great-grandson, Shepherd Thomas Stevenson.

Ross worked for the Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline Co. for many years, retiring Dec. 31, 1995. He was a member of the Rio Presbyterian Church and was a faithful caretaker of Rio Baptist Cemetery. Ross enjoyed basketball and baseball and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball until he was 44. Ross also enjoyed golf, fishing and traveling. In his younger years, Ross coached Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth in Oneida. He loved going to daily morning coffee with the fellas.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2019, at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2019, at the Rio Presbyterian Church. Cremation rites will be accorded following funeral services. Private burial of cremated remains will be at Rio Baptist Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the Rio Baptist Cemetery or to the Rio Presbyterian Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Register-Mail on Jul. 25, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Ross Shepherd

Sponsored by Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory - Galesburg.

8 Entries

Shirley Anderson

July 18, 2025

Visited you and Pat the first weekend in June. All well and blessing to you.

Shirley Anderson

July 18, 2023

Ang and I visited you over 2023 Memorial weekend. All looks good. If there was any bird do do Ang cleaned it
off as she did the other family and friends we visited.

Shirley Anderson

July 19, 2021

Visited Ross and Pat Memorial Weekend. They are
resting in peace. Ross the cemetery looked good for you.
Grass was mowed like you kept it.

Shirley Anderson

July 18, 2020

Still miss my old friend. Last visit to see me and pick up our big snow blower that I knew I couldn't operate
after Bill's passing. Sorry Angie and I couldn't visit him and Pat this year. Trips in future we hope. Miss them both and our good times. Was a surprise to know that Bill was there for his funeral as a spirit pallbearer.

Robert Green

July 27, 2019

Ross and Pat were our friends forever. Ross and I attended Grade school and High school. Ross was a better student than I, he helped me pass Algebra and told me I was the most unknowledgeable person he ever tried to help with numbers. Thanks Ross!!!!! I can balance a Checkbook thanks to Ross!!!1 Ross was a good softball player and he helped me when I was pitching. Our big victory was defeating Knoxville 9-0 yea!!!! and we still celebrate that win. When Ross came down to visit a couple years ago he wanted to find some rocks to add to his collection, NOW THATS NOT A PROBLEM IN THE OZARKS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS OPEN YOUR EYES!! Ross found what he was looking for and seamed pleased with his possessions.

Robert Green

July 27, 2019

Ross and Pat were our friends forever. I have some wonderful memories of Ross as we attended Grade School and High school together. In High School Ross helped me pass Algrebra and told me not to do anything with numbers as he thought I was the most unknowledgeable person he ever tried to mentor. Thanks Ross!!!! Iam still not good with numbers but I can balance a Checkbook.Ross loved rocks and when he visited me a couple years ago we went below Bagmal dam@ Lake Ozark and he found just what he was looking forto add to his collection. Ross was a really good Softball player and helped me out when I was pitching. Our big victory was defeating Knoxville 9to zero YEA!!!!! I'll never forget my Old friend and will keep him in my prayers and hopefully join him someday.

Shirley Anderson

July 26, 2019

Thanks to Brenda for calling me. The tears just came saying good bye to a dear old friend. He missed Pat so much as we did and now they are together again. I asked myself why had I not called him in recent weeks. Just get too busy and regret will remain with me. I hope he gets to wear and take his Cubs cap with him. Will try to make it to one of the services. S

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