Walter Ross

Walter Thomas Ross, 58, of Carmel, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on December 22, 2011. Walt was born in Cape Girardeau, MO on Jan. 25, 1953 to Charlie and LaVern (Mirly) Ross. Walt graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, MO in 1971. He earned his BS in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University in 1975. Walt spent his entire career in the heavy equipment industry, in sales, service, and management for Missouri Illinois Tractor, Roland Machinery, and Brandeis Equipment in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana. Since 2003, Walt served Indiana's Caterpillar users at MacAllister Machinery in Indianapolis. Walt's high standards and deep sense of responsibility inspired his coworkers, customers, and family every day. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, whether playing sandlot baseball as a boy, league bowling as a young man, basketball with his kids, golfing with coworkers, or just watching the big game on TV with friends and family. He especially loved being a PopPop to his four grandboys, Isaac, Jacob, Jonas, and Ian. A dedicated family man, Walt will be deeply missed by his survivors: Jane, beloved wife of 38 years; daughter Claire (Michael) O'Neal of Newark, DE; son Christian (Jean) Ross of Fishers; four grandsons; parents; sister Cynthia (William) Gage of Cape Girardeau, MO; and brother C. Edward (Brenda) Ross of Jackson, MO. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27 from 4-8 pm at Carmel Lutheran Church, 4850 E. 131 Street, Carmel, Walt and Jane's home church. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 28 at 10 AM at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana University Foundation, PO Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402. A full tribute to Walt's life may be viewed online at www.flannerbuchanan.com, where condolences may also be shared. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan- Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.