Wingate- Homer R. 'Doc' Gross age 88 of Wingate, died at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2009 in the VA Illiana Health Care System Pallative Care Unit in Danville, IL. He had been in failing health the past year. Homer was born on the family farm near Wingate on July 24, 1920 the son of Lawrence and Mable DeVoss Gross, they preceded him in death.

He was a graduate of Wingate High School. Following high school he enlisted in the U. S. Army and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. For his actions in that battle he was awarded the Bronze Star, which was actually pinned to his uniform by General George Patton. He was a member and commander of the former Wingate American Legion Post and served in the honor guard for veteran burials, and the Crawfordsville American Legion Post.

Homer first was married to Barbara Jean Fay, she preceded him in death in 1956. He later married Catherine May Funk Bowers, she preceded him in death in 2001. A life-long resident, Homer began farming near New Richmond in Tippecanoe County and also raised poultry. He then moved to the Wingate area and was a grain and livestock farmer until his retirement in 1984. After retiring he continued to assist his son on the farm. He had worked at the Indiana State Fair for nearly 25 years in traffic control. He had attended Pleasant Hill Church in Wingate and enjoyed camping with his family.

Surviving are four sons: Dennis (Elizabeth) Gross of Hawaii, Larry (Vicki) Gross of Lafayette, John (Karen) Bowers of Pittsboro, Kevin (Laura) Gross of Wingate. Three daughters: Linda (Rick) Richey of Indianapolis, Kathie Schultz of New Mexico, Mary Lynn (Kurt) Udseth of Westminster, MD. A brother Robert (Nina) Gross of Wingate, 17 grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, a daughter Melissa Gross, two brothers Don and Daniel Gross and grand daughter Bonnie Gross.

Visitation will be held at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, 5 - 8 p.m. Saturday, February 7th, 2009. Funeral Services will be at the funeral home, 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8th, with family members officiating. Interment will follow with graveside military rites by Crawfordsville American Legion Post 72, in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wingate. Memorial contributions may best be directed to the VA Illiana Pallative Care Unit with envelopes available at the funeral home. Visit us on line to leave a condolence at www.familyandfriendsfh.com