Ross J. Neese

Ross J. Neese, 88, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 5, 2016, in Columbus, Indiana. He was born in Lebanon, Indiana, on April 3, 1928, a son of the late Roscoe Neese and Carol (Cook) Neese. Ross graduated from Lebanon High School in 1947. He was married to Phyllis Joan (Thrine) Neese on April 3, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lebanon, Indiana. Mrs. Neese survives. Ross was employed at Metzger Lumber Company and then went to the Lebanon Fire Department in 1950. He served as Assistant Fire Chief from 1968-1979 then retired. He was then employed part time for 22 years with Russel and Hitch Funeral home. In 1980 he and his wife moved to Monticello, Indiana where he became employed for Miller and Voorhis Funeral Home and retired from there after 13 years. Ross and Phyllis spent several winters in Sebring, Florida, they moved back to Lebanon in 2004. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Ross enjoyed reading, playing golf and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was a former Elks member, a 50 year member of the Eagles, St. Joseph Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. Visitation will be held at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2016. The Rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home in Lebanon. A Mass of the Resurrection is planned for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 319 East South Street, Lebanon, Indiana with Rev. Timothy Kroeger, officiating. Interment will follow services at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana. Survivors: Wife: Phyllis Neese – Lebanon, Indiana Children: Theresa J. Westerfeld and husband, Ross – Columbus, Indiana Timothy F. Neese and wife, Paula – Elkhart, Indiana Grandchildren: Clayton Westerfeld and wife, Chessie – Columbus, Indiana Natalie Wanstrath and husband, Nathan – Batesville, Indiana Adam Neese and wife, Susan – San Diego, California Drew Neese and wife, Danielle – Elkhart, Indiana Emily Neese – Indianapolis, Indiana Brother: Byron Neese – Lebanon, Indiana Thirteen Great Grandchildren Deceased: In addition to his parents, Ross was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Neese; sisters, Erma Webb, Margery Buckingham and Mariam Schuck. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his honor to the St. Joseph Building Fund, 319 East South Street, P.O. Box 309, Lebanon, Indiana 46052 or to the Lebanon Fire Department, 975 Lasley Drive, Lebanon, Indiana.

Ross J. Neese

April 3, 1928 - December 5, 2016