John Gross, Sr.
John H. Gross
Oskaloosa. John Harold Gross, Sr., 87, of Oskaloosa died at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born September 9, 1937, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John Harold and Dorothy M. Weatherwax Gross. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1957. Following high school he joined the United State Navy. In 1958, he was united in marriage to Carol Floyd. To this union two children were born John H. and Leigh Ann. After 41 years of marriage John and Carol parted ways. John served in the United States Navy all over the world during his 21-year career. He retired from the Navy as Chief Petty Officer John H. Gross. Following his dedicated service to the Navy, John completed the Auto Mechanics program at DMACC and went to work as a mechanic in Garden Grove and New Virginia. After 10 years of mechanic work, he retired from turning wrenches and went to work for the United States Postal Service. He worked for the Postal Service in Des Moines for over 16 years before his retirement. Upon retiring he sold his acreage and moved from New Virginia to Oskaloosa. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association and the American Legion Post 34 in Oskaloosa. At 16 years old John fell in love with riding motorcycles, he was a lifelong Harley Davidson rider and was an advocate for motorcycle safety through the American Motorcycle Organization. He also enjoyed woodworking. He grew up on a farm and always enjoyed farm life especially tending to the animals.
His family includes his two children, John H. (Cindy) Gross, of Urbandale and Leigh Ann (Dale) Powell of Coffey, Missouri; a granddaughter, Kristin (Dan) Gonzalez; two great grandchildren, D.J. and Breann Gonzalez; and a brother, Donald Gross.
John was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Harold Goetsch; two brothers, and two sisters.
Crypt side services will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the mausoleum at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa, Iowa with Pastor Jim Eschenbrenner officiating. Military honors will be given by members of the Ottumwa Honor Guard. The Patriot Guard Riders of Iowa will escort John to the cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.