Wirt C. Ross

A wonderful husband, father, brother and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all. Wirt, better known as “Ross” to many, age 85 of La Belle, PA, previously of Fort Myers, FL and Erie, Pa, died February 15th, 2018. Ross was born July 18th 1932 in Erie, PA. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Peggy Jane Ross,  his step daughter, Rebecca Lynn "Meyerink” and sister Judith Ross Honderich. Ross was the son of Wirt F. Ross and Jane Walesiak. Ross had lived in Harborcreek Pa until the age of 17. He loved fishing as a teenager and consistently brought in stringers of blue pike, bass and perch to his family and friends. At Harborcreek High School, he excelled in sports, especially football where he was selected to several all-star football teams as a guard. Ross graduated from Erie‘s East High School and joined the US Army in 1949. He served in the Korean War as a combat engineer primarily clearing minefields. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and was awarded several medals including the bronze star. He completed two tours of duty in the army. After his discharge from the army in 1953, Ross worked for General Electric (GE) in Erie as a locomotive quality control inspector until he and his wife Peggy retired to Fort Myers Fla. Left to cherish his memory are his step children whom he loved as his own, Cindy Dziuba, of Warren Pa, Renee Walmsley Maines (Thomas) of La Belle, Pa, Shannon Hannah, Jr (Stacy)of Waterford, Pa, Jennie Hannah of Erie, Pa, his brothers James Ross (Harriet) of Mount Lebanon PA, Larry Ross (Patricia) New Holland PA and the late Judith Ross Honderich (Kenneth) of Chicago, IL. Also surviving are many grandchildren and great grand children. Two of which Ross and his late wife Peggy raised, two very special little girls, Jaimie and Kendra until the age of five.  In total there are 25 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The last four years of his life, Ross lived with his daughter Renée and her family. Ross truly enjoyed his time there with his two grandchildren Johnny and Lucy. The days were filled with family, love and lots of hugs and kisses. Ross also enjoyed sitting in his chair looking out his window and watching all the wildlife. Every day deer would come to eat, birds would come chirp at his window and wild turkeys would come and flock outside his window. He enjoyed playing games with his grandchildren and watching movies and saying I love you every chance he had. Ross, as well as the family felt very blessed to have the time they did with each other. The memories made will be cherished forever.Thanks for the memories Ross, we love you more. Arrangements Laughlin by Cremation & Funeral Tributes.

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