June Gross
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ June Gross, 84, of Ottawa, passed away at his home Saturday, September 27, 2008 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday Oct 2, 2008 at First Baptist Church in Ottawa with Rev. Peter Brick officiating.
Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park with Military Services
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 1, 2008 at Ottawa Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
June was born October 6, 1923, in Du Quoin to Clyde & Bessie Gross. He married Betty Davis on July 20, 1943 in Brownsville, Texas.
June began his teaching career at Sesser High School in 1950 and taught there until 1953. He taught at Fairfield High School from 1953 to 1956. He moved to Ottawa and began teaching at Ottawa High School in 1956. He taught drivers education and health until his retirement in 1990. While at OTHS June coached football, basketball, baseball and track from 1956 to May 2008. June was best known for having 31 consecutive years of state qualifiers in the jumping events. Among the many qualifiers there were numerous top 5 finishers, 4 state champions and one national champion.
June was inducted into the Northern Illinois Track Association Hall of Fame in 1984. In 2007 he was inducted into the OTHS Foundation Hall of Fame. Prior to his retirement, he was recognized by the State Board of Education for his contribution as a professional educator.
June was a baseball and softball umpire and a basketball referee for many years. In the 1950's he was instrumental in developing the Ottawa Recreation softball and basketball programs. June retired in 2005 as director of the City Recreation softball program. Prior to his retirement, the south softball diamond at Ottawaís Lincoln-Douglas Park was named "June Gross Field" in his honor.
June was twice honored as Grand Marshall in the Friendship Day Parade. The chamber of commerce named him Honorary Ambassador of Ottawa.
Military services include: WW II veteran serving as a staff sergeant in the Army in the Pacific Theatre.
After serving our country he enrolled at Southern Illinois University where he played football. He continued his education at Indiana University where he received his Masters degree.
June was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Ottawa for over 50 years. He taught Sunday school for many years.
Survivors include his wife; daughter: Ginger (Harold) Fogarty of Ottawa; sons, Terry (Pam) of Frankfort, Tom (Kay) & Tim (Malia) Both of Ottawa; grandchildren, Lisa (Mark) Yanule, Sarah (Colby) Zemaitis, Jay (Stephanie) Gross, Brett (Laura) Gross, Matt Gross, Chad Gross, Brock Fogarty, Keoni Gross and Kekoa Gross; great-grandchildren, Drew, Elle and Anna Zemaitis and Finley Gross; sisters, Millie Robinson of Utah
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ray Gross Sr. and Gene Gross Sr.; and one sister Theo Williams
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the First Baptist Church or to the family for distribution to organizations supported by June Gross.
When recently asked what his greatest accomplishments were, June said, Marrying his wife Betty of 65 years and raising his four children.