Ruth Ross

Ruth Elaine Ross, age 95 years, of South Fifteenth Street in Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, December 23, 2012 at the residence of her daughter in Portage, Indiana following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate assistance of the Porter County Visiting Nurse Association during Ruth’s final weeks.

She was born on July 2, 1917 in Dugger, Indiana to James Ernest and Hilda Nellie (Richardson) Ferguson, and was graduated from Dugger High School. She has lived in Niles since 1941, coming from Musselshell, Montana. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse, serving for many years at the Saint Joseph Hospital in South Bend (now Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka).

Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles and a member of the Niles Chapter No. 332, Order of the Eastern Star. She and her husband had traveled extensively throughout the United States. She enjoyed working in her yard, and antiques.

On May 13, 1936 in Dugger she married Joseph N. Ross, who preceded her in death on March 13, 2001. She was also preceded in death by their son, Joseph Leon Ross, who died in 1954, a granddaughter Sarah Nekvasil, who died October 15, 1993, a great-grandson Matthew Nekvasil, and Ruth’s brother, Winfred Ferguson.

Surviving family includes her daughters Ruth Elizabeth Ross of Chicago, Illinois and Norma (& William) Poznanski of Portage, grandchildren, Rebecca Needham, Jennifer (& Dennis) Morgan, Nathan (& Angie) Stickney, Eric (& Kristin) Poznanski, Todd (& Roberta) Poznanski and Daniel (& Christine) Poznanski. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Anna Sophia Poznanski, Derek Poznanski, David Nekvasil, Joel Poznanski, Abigail Stickney, Jonathan Stickney, Tia Poznanski, Madison Poznanski, Derek Poznanski, Allison Poznanski, and Mandy Poznanski; and several nieces and nephews.


The funeral service for Ruth Elaine Ross will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Niles with Rev. Jim Wing of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.


The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Eastern Star Rites at 6:30 p.m. by Niles Chapter 332. Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to the First Baptist Church, Niles.

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