June L. Gross

OTTAWA -- June Gross, 84, of Ottawa, died Saturday, Sept. 27, at his home. He passed away surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Peter Brick officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with military services. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ottawa Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. He was born Oct. 6, 1923, in DuQuion, to Clyde and Bessie Gross. He married Betty Davis on July 20, 1943, in Brownsville, Texas. June began his teaching career at Sesser High School in 1950 and taught there until 1953. He taught at Fairfield High School from 1953 to 1956. He moved to Ottawa and began teaching at Ottawa Township High School in 1956. He taught drivers education and health until his retirement in 1990. While at OTHS June coached football, basketball, baseball and track from 1956 to May 2008. June was best known for having 31 consecutive years of state qualifiers in the jumping events. Among the many qualifiers there were numerous top five finishers, four state champions and one national champion. June was inducted into the Northern Illinois Track Association Hall of Fame in 1984. In 2007, he was inducted into the OTHS Foundation Hall of Fame. Prior to his retirement, he was recognized by the State Board of Education for his contribution as a professional educator. June was a baseball and softball umpire and a basketball referee for many years. In the 1950s, he was instrumental in developing the Ottawa Recreation softball and basketball programs. June retired in 2005 as director of the City Recreation softball program. Prior to his retirement, the south softball diamond at Ottawa's Lincoln-Douglas Park was named "June Gross Field" in his honor. June was twice honored as grand marshal in the Friendship Day Parade. The Chamber of Commerce named him Honorary Ambassador of Ottawa. He was a World War II veteran, serving as a staff sergeant in the Army in the Pacific Theater. After serving our country, he enrolled at Southern Illinois University, where he played football. He continued his education at Indiana University, where he received his master's degree. June was an active member of First Baptist Church of Ottawa for more than 50 years. He taught Sunday school for many years. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Ginger (Harold) Fogarty of Ottawa; three sons, Terry (Pam) of Frankfort and Tom (Kay) and Tim (Malia), both of Ottawa; nine grandchildren, Lisa (Mark) Yanule, Sarah (Colby) Zemaitis, Brock Fogarty and Jay (Stephanie), Brett (Laura), Matt, Chad, Keoni and Kekoa Gross; four great-grandchildren, Drew, Elle and Anna Zemaitis and Finley Gross; and a sister, Millie Robinson of Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ray Sr. and Gene Gross Sr.; and one sister, Theo Williams. Pallbearers will be Jay, Brett, Matt and Chad Gross and Harold and Brock Fogarty. When recently asked what his greatest accomplishments were, June said, marrying his wife Betty of 65 years and raising his four children.