Bruce Edward Ross, 80, passed away on January 24, 2023 after a long battle with a debilitating disease. Bruce was born on July 19, 1942 in East St. Louis, Illinois to parents, Conrad C. Ross and Mary Lover Ross.

Bruce was a 1960 graduate of Cahokia High School. After high school, he moved with his parents and brother to Southern California. In 1963, he joined the Air Force Reserves, where he served for six years. While in the Air Force, he was a reciprocating engine mechanic specializing in the C 119 aircraft. After the Air Force, he graduated from a tech school specializing in air conditioning and refrigeration. He accepted a position of Maintenance Supervisor at Shasta Beverages, and later became the Assistant Plant Manager. He worked primarily in the beverage business with National Beverages in California, and later did consulting work for the company throughout the United States. He moved back to the St Louis area in 1992, and worked for Vess Beverages. Bruce's expertise in all aspects of the business was highly regarded and respected. In 1997, he became Plant Superintendent of the plant in Gainesville, Georgia.

In 1993, he married his former fiancé, Judy Manning. In 2009, Bruce retired, and he and his wife moved to Maryville, Illinois to be near family. Once back in the area, he enjoyed the cousin lunches with the Spanish cousins from his Mother's family, and also the cousins from his Father's family. Bruce was always an animal lover, and enjoyed his dogs and his cats. He loved his two grandchildren, and had the privilege of watching them grow up. At the time of his departure, he resided in Smithton, Illinois with his wife Judy, his 3 dogs and 5 cats.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad C. Ross and Mary Lover Ross, and sister, Patricia Ross Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Manning Ross; sons, Bruce Ross II (Christina) and Richard Peters (Toni); daughter, Deania Jenkins (David); brother, Michael Ross (Maria); brother-in-law, Don Thomas; granddaughter, Lauren Jenkins; grandson, Benjamin Jenkins; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Services for Bruce will be held at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive in Glen Carbon, Illinois. The family will receive guests on Monday, February 6, 2023 between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, a memorial service will be held at 3:00pm, officiated by Pastor Terry Jones Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, or to Hope Animal Rescues in Godfrey.