Charles O. Gross

The oldest living McCord’s retiree, Charles O. “Charlie” Gross, 90, has died.

Charlie, of 611 N. Broadway St., Plymouth, died of natural causes at 8:58 p.m. on Monday, February 14, 2000, in St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.

A lifetime resident of Marshall County, Charlie was born the son of John Franklin and Bessie Smith Gross on March 4, 1909.  He attended West School.

On February 21, 1931, he and Cleo Pike were married.  Cleo died on May 27, 1979.

Charlie had worked at McCords for 47 years, retiring in 1974.

He was a competitor in everything he did.  In golf league at Fountainhead,   he’d say, “I’m an old man, take off a couple of strokes.”

And then he’d proceed to “chip and putt” with deadly accuracy, beating the socks off of his competition.

He loved fishing and golfing and was an avid bowler, still bowling twice a week at the time of his death.  He spent a lot of time playing euchre and putting Jig Saw puzzles together.

Charlie is survived by Bob and Alice Gross, Culver, his son and daughter-in-law and by Virginia and Jim Johnston, Green Valley, Arizona, his daughter and son-in-law.

Eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren also survive.

Two sisters and a brother, all in Florida, survive: Maxine Harmon, May Dixon and Donald Gross.  Elnora Gibson, his very close friend, survives his death as well.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sisters, Mary Helsel and Mable Widaman and three brothers: Roy Lee, Kenneth and Lewis Gross.

Friends may visit with his family on Thursday, February 17, 2000, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

Funeral services conducted by the Rev. Larry Ferguson, pastor of Christ Church of Plymouth where Charlie was a member, will be on Friday, February 18, 2000, at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Burial will be in Burr Oak Cemetery, Culver, Ind.

Memorial gifts in Charlie’s name may be made to the Christ Church

Food Bank.