Bert Ross, 90 of Deep River, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, June 20, 2017 at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Deep River Christian Church. Burial will be held in the Golden Rod Cemetery in Deep River. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deep River Volunteer Fire Department or Deep River Christian Church.

Bert Wesley Ross, the son of John Wesley and Ethel Mae (Wolford) Ross, was born on March 8, 1927 in Deep River, Iowa. He was a 1946 graduate of Deep River High School. Following graduation, Bert was drafted with the United States Army in 1950 serving his country for a couple of years before being honorably discharged in 1952. On March 28, 1955, Bert was united in marriage to Mary Ward in Kirksville, Missouri. To this union four children were born, Ronald, Mardleen, Donald and Jason. Bert drove truck all of his life. He started out hauling livestock for the first five or six years then he began hauling rock. Bert enjoyed attending the What Cheer Flea Market and camping; especially at Rathbun Lake. He was a "grease monkey" and loved working on his own trucks having his sons work with him teaching them along the way. Bert's biggest hobby was collecting antiques and of course his toy tractors. He was a 35 year member of the Deep River Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Deep River Christian Church and the Morrison-Schrader American Legion Post No. 296 in Deep River.

His memory will be cherished by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ross of Deep River; his children, Ronald Ross of Deep River, Mardleen (Doug) White of Ottumwa, Donald (Sue) Ross of Deep River and Jason (Susan) Ross of Deep River; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and many other family and friends.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Ethel Ross and two sisters, Ardes Barnhart and Arleen Lee.