James E. "Jim" Gross

EAST PEORIA – James E. “Jim” Gross, 77, of East Peoria and formerly of the 800 block of Madison St. in Peoria, died at 1:45 pm Monday, February 23, 2009 at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Born on March 23, 1931 in Pope County, MS to Joseph Newton and Willie Edward Dennis Gross, he married his wife of nearly 53 years, Pearly Mae Curry on July 15, 1956 in Mississippi. She survives. Also surviving are 1 son, Thomas (Tina) Gross of East Peoria, 2 daughters, Laura (Tom) Hanks of Graham, NC and Charlotte (Dale) Thornton of Peoria, IL, 8 grandchildren, Kristopher Gross, Charlie Gross, Chelsea Gross, Kaleb Gross, Becca Bodeen, Joshua Bodeen, Nicholas Thornton and Kimberly Thornton and 2 great-grandchildren, Taylor and Nolan Thornton. Also surviving are 4 brothers, John (Eula) Gross of Litchfield, KY, Jimmy Gross of Grenada, MS, Joseph (Elizabeth) Gross of Garden Grove, CA, and Joe (Bobbie) Gross of Courtland, MS, and 1 sister, Patricia (Don) Bynum of Water Valley, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Prentiss Gross and 1 sister, Jeanette Redwine. He was a US Army veteran serving during the Korean War. Jim began in the warehouse and advanced to an engineer in the boiler room at Corn Products in Pekin, IL, where he worked for 41 years and retired on April 1, 1998. He also worked at numerous gas stations in the Peoria area and after retirement he worked as a Security Guard at the Walmart in East Peoria for 4 ½ years. He also enjoyed keeping busy by mowing yards, cutting trees, and helping people move. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and also was a member of the American Legion Post #44 in Pekin. He was a member of the Lovejoy Methodist Church in Mississippi and attended Twin Oaks Missionary Baptist Church in East Peoria. Jim’s legacy will be his undying devotion to provide whatever was needed to his family to ease their way for a better life. His family will remember his humor and unwavering support in whatever endeavors they undertook. He loved gardening, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Services will be at 11 am Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Twin Oaks Missionary Baptist Church in East Peoria. Pastor Tom Myers will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Friday, February 27, 2009 at Deiters Funeral Home in East Peoria, with additional visitation from 10-11 on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

James E. "Jim" Gross

March 23, 1931 - February 23, 2009