US Air Force MSgt. Douglas J. 'Doug' Gross, age 76, of O'Fallon, Ill., passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, at HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon.

He was born August 25, 1947, in Breese, Ill., the son of the late Nicholas 'Hammer' and Mary, nee Ripplinger, Gross. Doug was a veteran of the USAF, 932nd Civil Engineering Squadron, and retired from Hunter Packing and Empire Comfort Systems. He was a member of St. Clare Catholic Church in O'Fallon, Knights of Columbus Council 4239, and Hacker-Gebke American Legion Post 976. He cherished his grandchildren and the comradery at the KC Hall working Bingo with his brother Knights.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son Ryan, brother Dave, father-in-law and mother-in-law August and Adella, nee Bergmann, Sundrup, and brother-in-law Paul 'Pete' Varel.

Surviving are his wife Sandra, nee Sundrup, Gross of O'Fallon, whom he married May 7, 1971 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso; son Christopher (Misty) of Carlyle; grandchildren Craig and Abbie Gross of Carlyle; sibling Dan (JoAnn) Gross of Bartelso, sisters-in-law Betty Gross of Trenton and Joan Varel of Bartelso, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Clare Catholic Church or to Mater Dei Catholic High School.

Visitation: 4-8 pm, Friday, September 22, 2023 at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., Shiloh, and 8:30 – 10 am, Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the church, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Interment with full military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, O'Fallon, Ill.

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