Ross, Milan C. 1919-2012

ROSS, DEROSEAR, BOLEY, VOLLMER, AUGSPURGER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/20/2024 at 18:44:51

Milan C. Ross
1919-2012
Hillsboro

Milan C. Ross entered this world on October 24, 1919 at Big Mound, Iowa. His parents were Wayne and Mary (DeRosear) Ross. From them he inherited a love of the land and a strong work ethic. He grew up on the family farm located between Salem and Hillsboro where, along with his brother William and his sister Estelle (Boley), he learned the value of family, education, and agriculture. As a youth, he enjoyed the experiences of riding his black horse to school and playing sports for Hillsboro High. Milan was inducted into the army on his 18th birthday.

Milan was a part of the Normandy Invasion on Omaha Beach as an armored car driver in the 8th Cavalry Reconnaissance Unit where he drove his armored car off the tail of a landing craft into the water and then struck out for shore. It was at this time that he developed his life-long distaste for water. Upon arriving on Normandy Beach, in Europe, he quickly lost his first car when it was hit with artillery. His greatest regret at the time was that he could not save the stash of bacon he had secured earlier from the ship's hold. As part of Gen. Patton's Third Army he passed through Paris, the Hurtgen Forest, and parts of Germany. He remained with his unit until the war's end. The army friendships he established in the war lasted throughout his life as he enjoyed periodically renewing those ties at 8th Cavalry Recon Reunions. He was also a member of the American Legion.

When Milan returned from the war he wasted little time in buying a John Deere 60 tractor and plow, courting and marrying Jeannette Vollmer, his wife of 55 years. They worked the next half century of his life raising corn, beans, pigs, cattle and kids. He was quietly proud of his John Deere tractors and combine which were washed and waxed after the crops were harvested and his cattle feeding operation which grew from hand-carrying silage in bushel baskets down the bunks to being fully automated. For fun, he enjoyed playing cards and attending dances with family and friends. When asked one time, if he could do anything in the world, what would he want to do, he replied that he would want to live the exact life he then enjoyed.

Milan passed from this world on July 3, 2012, at 10:20 at the end of the day. His work was done and it was time to go home to his wife. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeannette and parents, as well as brother William and sister Estelle (Boley). He leaves behind his daughter Debra (John) Augspurger, and sons Stephen, James (Beth), Thomas (Trang), and David (Billie); as well as 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He will be missed.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hillsboro Christian Church. Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Friday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will full military honors conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard will be in the Hillsboro Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Hillsboro Christian Church or to the Hillsboro Public Library in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com.

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements.

Published by the Des Moines (IA) Register on Jul. 6, 2012.