Virgil ‘Buzz’ Gross

PRINCETON — Virgil “Buzz” Gross, 94, of Princeton died peacefully on Monday, July 3, 2017, at the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle.

Buzz was born May 7, 1923, in Shelby Township to William and Anna (Lundgren) Gross. He was a 1940 graduate of Princeton Township High School. Buzz married Edwardine “Eddie” Fahs of Ohio on Oct. 18, 1947. They were happily married for 69 years.

He served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman and was a World War II veteran. Upon his discharge, he returned to Princeton where he helped on the family farm before becoming an owner/operator of Gross Texaco Service Station for 20 years. Buzz retired as a bookkeeper for New Jersey Zinc in DePue.

He was a lifelong member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, where he served on many committees including church council president. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 587 for 59 years and American Legion Post 125 for over 70 years. Buzz served as Princeton Township clerk for 28 years out of his 32 years on the board. He was the assistant Scout Master of Troup 69. He loved his 1925 Model T and his 1931 Model A. He enjoyed traveling, golf, hunting pheasants, fishing, a round of croquet, playing cards and working in the shop with the boys. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Eddie; a daughter, Terry (Bob) Rapp; two sons, Steven (Pam) Gross and Jack (Karen) Gross; seven grandchildren, Vincent Rapp, Douglas (Jessica) Rapp, Andrew (Tara Maloy) Rapp, Rachel (Jason) Savage, Shelby (Jeremy) Bertrand, Bill McGimpsey and BJ Sparks; 14 great-grandchildren, Kortnie, Jaclynn, Adam, Eli, Mason, Riley and Brixen Rapp, Eliza Savage, Austin and Brayden Debates, McKenna Christiansen, Sean and Xavier McGimpsey, and Landon Alexander; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Buzz was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lester and Elwood.

The family will receive friends from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 7, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Princeton. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Scott Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthews Lutheran Church and/or the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle.

The Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.