Athalia L. Gross

Athalia Lucille Gross was born on September 24, 1926, at the old Crissy Hospital in Pierceton, Indiana to Lester and Mary (Sellers) Dill. She died at Stillwater Hospice in Ft. Wayne on October 28, 2024.

After graduating from Pierceton High School in 1944 as salutatorian of her class, Athalia and Lawrence Gross were married on June 16, 1945. They celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary in 2021.

While Lawrence pursued a career in the United States Air Force for the next 28 years, they made their home in many interesting places around the world. After Lawrence’s retirement from the Air Force, the couple moved back to live near Pierceton.

Athalia was a member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the United Methodist Women. She served as treasurer for 14 years, she also served the offices of Financial Secretary, Membership Chairman, and church historian. Athalia was a life member of the Eastern Star Chapter #56 and their pianist for several years. In North Carolina, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and worked with handicapped children. Athalia was a long-time seamstress and knitter, she was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, and loved being at home with her husband and children.

Surviving are her children, Mary Beth Esneault (spouse Jim), of Arizona; James Lawrence Gross (spouse Joyce) of Pennsylvania, grandchildren, Eva Marie Washburn (spouse Christian) of Alaska; Joseph Lawrence Esneault (spouse Melissa) of Nevada, Jeremy Robert Orr of Warsaw, and Jennifer Malia Flinn of Silver Lake; great-grandsons, Bryden Washburn of Alaska and Hunter James Jones of Ft. Wayne.

Athalia was preceded in death by her forever loved husband Lawrence and her sister Edith Menzie.

Private services will be held for the family on November 1, 2024.

McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels is entrusted with handling arrangements for Athalia.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, PO Box 1906, Warsaw, IN 46581 or Stillwater Hospice of Ft. Wayne, donations@stillwater-hospice.org or (260) 435-3222.

Online condolences can be sent to the website through www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com