He was born February 9, 1945, in Mansfield, Ohio, the youngest of five children of the late John J. and Ernestine (Schiller) Gross and he lived in Mansfield his entire life. Mike graduated from St. Peter’s Catholic School. In grade school, he met Kathleen Notter; they dated through high school and married soon after graduation. He enjoyed working at General Motors for over 30 years.
Mike was an avid sports fan, played softball for years and enjoyed a round of golf whenever he could get free. He enjoyed going to sports games—especially the Cleveland Indians. Relaxing at Lake Erie was one of his favorite ways to unwind. Most of all, being with his family, especially his grandchildren, brought him great joy.
Mike is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Kathleen Notter Gross; three children, Dawn (Michael) Zook, Doug Gross, Brian “Scott” (Sarah) Gross; four grandchildren, Trevor Zook, Andy, Zach and Meredith Gross; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four siblings, Billy, Richard and Donald Gross and Mary Jane Caraway.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. A graveside service will be held in Mansfield Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
