Gaye Ann Ross, 52 of Carleton, Michigan, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and daughter passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 in the warmth of her home, surrounded by family.
She was born March 8, 1960 in Monroe, Michigan, the daughter of Lavern Heiss and Beverly Powell (Heiss) McLaughlin. She married Gary T. Ross on May 26, 1978 at Carleton United Methodist Church.
Gaye was a lifelong resident of Carleton and graduated from Airport High School. She worked at Airport Community Schools as a bus driver since December 1992. Being a bus driver was something that she really enjoyed; she loved all of her kids. Her hobbies included her grandchildren and children. She truly loved being a mother and grandmother. She also loved to be outdoors, cooking and baking, shopping, spending time with friends and enjoyed big groups of friends and family around her kitchen table laughing and drinking coffee. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend and she will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Gaye is survived by her mother, Beverly McLaughlin; husband, Gary; daughter Sara; daughter Lindsay (Bill Metzger); brothers, Robert (Debe Hart-Hoover) Heiss of Carleton, Earl (Ethel) Heiss of Carleton and Lyle (Liz) Heiss of Carleton; mother-in-law Alice Abodaher; sister-in-law Cathy (Mike) Gilbert, brother-in-law Tim (Sharon) Ross, brother-in-law Rick Ross; four grandchildren, Jacob and Zachary Kahn, Alaina and Gavin Metzger; aunt, Evelyn Elliott and many nieces, nephews, cousins and her loving dog, Lucy. She was preceded in death by her father Lavern Heiss and her step-father Lester McLaughlin.
Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. Friends may also gather from 9:30am until a Celebration of Her Life at 10:30am, Friday, December 14, 2012 also at Merkle’s. The Rev. Taek Kim pastor of Carleton United Methodist Church will officiate. Friends are invited to a memorial luncheon immediately following her services at the Carleton VFW Post 4093; 700 Carleton Rockwood Road. Private burial will take place at Ash Cemetery on a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested to the March of Dimes. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.