Eugene ‘Gene’ Ross
MOUNT VERNON — Eugene “Gene” Ross, 77, of Mount Vernon passed away on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006, at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

He was born on Nov. 17, 1928, on Hoods Fork, Ky., the son of the late Proctor R. and Grace (Hannah) Ross. Gene’s passing will leave a void in the hearts and lives of family and friends who loved him.

Gene went to school in Centerburg and joined the Army in July of 1947. He went to Fort Dix, N.J., for training and in a short time was shipped to Marburg, Germany. His next assignment was to Kitzengen, where he worked in ordinance, dealing with equipment used in General Patton’s Third Army. After eight months, he was transferred to the 62nd Highway Patrol by request. He then served 18 months in the 537th Military Police, where he was promoted to staff sergeant. He spent two years as G-8 Inspector and in 1953 was assigned back to the United States. Gene went to Fort Campbell , Ky., and was promoted to tech sergeant in the 188th Airborne Infantry Regimental Combat Team. While in the States, he married Margaret Sands of Centerburg. After 1 1/2 years, he requested a return to Germany. He was sent to Frankfurt, Germany, and was supply sergeant of 3rd Q.M. Company, which was a combat division training in the field. Next he was assigned to the Darmstadt Post in charge of a tool and clothing warehouse. After 18 months in Darmstadt, he returned to the States with his family. In February 1958, he was assigned to the University of Toledo, ROTC Military History as sergeant first class. He left there in 1962 and returned to Germany. There he served as operations sergeant of the 709th MP Battalion, Company A. After one year he was promoted to first sergeant E-8. After three years, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the National Guard 200 MP Battalion in Baltimore, Md., as advisor for two years. In June 1968, he retired from the Army with 21 years, six months and 11 days of service to his country.

After retiring from the Army, he went to Centerburg with his family and sold cars for Dusty Rhodes Chevrolet, Bill Gregg Chevrolet and Glen White Chrysler Plymouth in Mount Vernon. Gene started his own used car lot, D&R Auto Sales, on Newark Road in Mount Vernon, in April of 1973. He moved his business to Harcourt Road, Mount Vernon, in 1976 and changed the name to Gene Ross & Sons AMC, Jeep, Renault. The business is still family owned and operated by his son, Ronald Ross, as Ross Jeep Eagle.

Gene is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margaret Ann Ross; daughters, Carol Ann Ross-Harney (Joe) of Mount Vernon and Connie J. Ross of Centerburg; and sons, Ronald E. (Mari) Ross of Centerburg and David R. Ross of Mount Vernon. He has four grandchildren, Zachary E. Ross, Jenna E. Ross, Brock E. Ross and Nicole L. Dziengelewski. He is also survived by brothers, Charles D. (Wanita) Ross of Westerville, Aaron “Ed” (Judy) Ross of Columbus, P. Harold “Butch” (Vicki) Ross of Columbus; sisters, Annabelle “Anna” (Mike) Parham of Oldsmar, Fla., and Gertrude “Gert” (Danny) Hines of Fredericktown; a sister-in-law, Alice Ross of Centerburg; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by granddaughters, Tracy Ann, Grace Ann and Abbigail Ellen; and one brother, Lloyd E. Ross.

Friends may call Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Centerburg Church of Christ with Evangelist Fred Albrecht officiating. Burial, with military honors by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council, will follow at East View Cemetery in Centerburg.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Knox County Humane Society, 400 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Vernon Shull Sr.
SUNBURY — Vernon T. Shull Sr., 73, of Sunbury died Friday, Nov. 3, 2006, at home with his family at his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Nellis, W.Va., on Sept. 11, 1933, to the late Preston and Bessie (Phillips) Shull. He retired from Worthington Industries after 30 years of service.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Zelma (Shorter); son, Vernon Jr., of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter, Victoria (Mark) Haley of Delaware; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis (Bill) Carver; brothers, Bob (Donna), Victor (Linda), Terry (Annie) and Bill (Linda); and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Wesley and Preston Jr.

Friends may call Tuesday, one hour prior to the 12:30 p.m. funeral service, at Sunbury Nazarene Church, 830 Ohio 61 North, Sunbury, with the Rev. Mike Cheek officiating. Interment will be in Sunbury Memorial Park. Services entrusted to DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice at Grady, 561 W. Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.