OLLIE W. ROSS

Sept. 2, 1926 - Aug. 19, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Ollie Williams Ross Sr., 82, departed this life August 19, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. at home with his loving family at his side. He was born September 2, 1926, in New Madrid, Missouri, to the late Grady and Viola Ross. He moved to South Bend, Indiana, when he was two years old and remained a lifelong resident.

He graduated from Central High School in 1944 where he was one of a few black football players. He attended Indiana University for two years. He later taught welding at Indiana Vocational Technical College.

Mr. Ross retired from the Oliver Equipment Company after 34 years. While working at Oliver's, he was the first black president of the UAW-CIO 1095, and he was the first black supervisor at Oliver's. He was a former president of the South Bend Housing Authority. After retiring from Oliver's, he later worked at the New Energy Ethanol Plant for seven years.

He was a member of the United States Army during World War II, where he served in Germany.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Chase, Mabel Coleman and Rosie Dungey; his brother, Ellis Ross; his son, Michael Eugene; and two deceased grandsons.

He liked to fish and plant his gardens. He was a great fan of the Chicago Bears, the Indianapolis Colts, and was a die-hard Notre Dame fan.

Surviving Mr. Ross is his wife of 62 years, Corine Ross, and his children, Sharon Ross, Ollie W. Ross Jr. (Darien), Shirley Ross, Michael Eugene and Sheila Marsh (Andrew), Clara Ross, James Ross and Anthony Ross (Stefanie). He leaves 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation service for Mr. Ross will be Tuesday, August 25th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home, 2702 Lincoln Way West. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 26th, at noon in St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 1501 West Washington St.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Aug. 23, 2009.

02/25/2023 EJS