Thomas E. Ross Jr., 87, of Wabash, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2015, at Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

He was born to the late Thomas E. Ross Sr. and Louise (Hardin) Ross on May 6, 1927, in Cairo, Ill.

Tom served his country in the United States Merchant Marines, then in the Marine Corp during the Korean War. He married Janet Creps on Feb. 11, 1955, she survives. He was an owner and operator of Ross-McKee Associates Construction of Wabash, after retirement he then worked for Shamrock Development of South Bend, Indiana as a consultant; then most recent at Wabash True Value during his retirement. Tom was a life member for over 50 years with the Hanna Masonic Lodge 61 of Wabash. He was also a faithful member of Christ United Methodist Church of Wabash.

Tom was an avid fisherman, enjoyed making silver jewelry and wooden bowls. Tom loved life to the fullest every day, right up to the end.

Along with his wife: Janet; he is also survived by a son: Richard Hawley (Rebecca), Huntington; grandson: Aaron Hawley, Huntington; two granddaughters: Amy (Donald) Pyatt, Yoder; Anna Hawley, Allendale, Mich.; two great-granddaughters: Madison and Chloe Pyatt; and a half-brother: Lewis Row (Dorothy), St. Petersburg, Fla.

He is preceded in death by a son and sister.

A graveside service will take place at a later date at Matlock Cemetery in Wabash County. Preferred memorials are directed to Christ United Methodist Church, 477 N. Wabash Street, Wabash, IN 46992.

McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, IN 46992 is entrusted with arrangements