I.F. "Ig" Gross, 93, Hays, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Hays Medical Center.

He was born June 15, 1915, in Antonino to August and Rosa (Dechant) Gross.

He married Lydia B. Mermis on April 28, 1941, in Hays. She preceded him in death Dec. 14, 2002. He was a Western Auto Merchant in Stockton, a representative for Waddell and Reed, and retired as district manager with the State Property Valuation Department.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1325, Bishop Cunningham Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hays Medical Center Auxiliary and Legion of Mary.

Survivors include two daughters, Jeanette Budig, Hays, and Janeal Wanamaker and husband, Bruce, Overland Park; a sister-in-law, Josie Gross, Hays; his companion, Laura Atkinson, Hays; three grandchildren, Melissa O'Reagan, Holdredge, Neb., Mary Lewis, Hays, and Rodney Budig, Thornton, Colo.; and five great-grandchildren, Ashley Lewis, Dylan O'Reagan, Alexus Budig, Alec Budig and Danny Lewis.

He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Arthur Budig; five brothers, Alphonse, Alex, Marcellus, Nick and Gus Gross; and two sisters, Anna Schweitzer and Pauline Pfannenstiel.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, with military honors by American Legion, VFW and American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 until 9:30 a.m. Friday, both at Hays Memorial Chapel, 20th and Pine.

The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

A vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by combined Third and Fourth degree Knights rosary, all at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to American Legion Riders, VFW or American Legion Honor Guard in care of the funeral home.