Allen V. Ross

STEVENSVILLE – Allen V. Ross, 68, of Stevensville, died on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at home, following a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph with Pastor Tom Batsky officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home in St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Relay for Life. Al was a gifted athlete. His love of sports was especially evident in high school where he ran track and played football and basketball. He was described as “perhaps one of the most outstanding athletes ever graduated from St. Joe High School.” In later years, he coached youth basketball and was an avid golfer, winning numerous awards. He served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960. After his tour of duty, he worked for Continental Can Company (later known as Crown Cork and Seal) for 35 years until the company closed in 1995. While working there, he met and married Kathy Mitchell who also worked for Continental. They have been married for 37 years. Al was diagnosed in the early 1990s with prostate cancer and later became interested in Relay for Life. His enthusiasm for Relay was contagious. He convinced his son, David, a childhood cancer survivor, to accompany him to a Relay for Life event one year. David became instantly “hooked on Relay” and later became chairman of the event. Al enjoyed people’s company, so when Crown Cork and Seal closed in 1995, he and his coworkers began getting together once a week at a local restaurant, and that has continued to this day. He had a winning smile and his friends nicknamed him “Smiley.” He is survived by his wife, Kathy Ross; his son, David (Yvonne) Ross; and his brother in-law, Bill Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Lydia (Fege) Ross.