Glenn Gross, 81, of Emlenton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at UPMC Passavant McCandless, following a sudden decline in health.
He was born July 5, 1942, in Hunlock Creek, PA, to George A. and Pearl Rosa (Eckhart) Gross.
He was a graduate of Lake Lehman High School (1960). He attended Penn State University and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Agriculture Education and a minor in Ag Engineering. He taught at Purchase Line School for 10 years before moving to the farm in Emlenton. He completed his career with the USDA, Rural Development where he retired with 25 years of service.
He was a member of the Clintonville Union Presbyterian church where he was actively involved in several building and remodeling projects and recently served as an Elder. He also cared for the three cemeteries of the church.
He was an active member of Scrubgrass Grange for 56 years. He was especially proud of the remodeling and building projects over the years at the Grange. Most recently he was involved in the Grange building a Food booth at the Venango County Fairgrounds.
Glenn served as a leader of the Emlenton Echoes 4-H Club for 25 years teaching shooting sports, wildlife projects, and woodworking.
Glenn, along with his wife, initiated the Pennsylvania Grange Heritage Quilt Trail in 2011. They taught classes across PA and beyond - teaching all ages to draft and paint wooden quilt blocks to be placed on Grange Halls, barns, community buildings, and houses. As a result, there are 50 painted quilt blocks displayed on the Venango County Fairgrounds plus hundreds throughout PA.
Other hobbies included quilt making, woodworking, and wood turning. He was always up for a challenge and would most often succeed.
He was married on June 10, 1967, to Barbara Riddle who survives. In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his children: Gretchen Gross-Kralj and husband Richard of Emlenton and Gary Gross and wife Christina of Wattsburg, PA; grandchildren Drew Kralj of Emlenton, Dori Kralj of Olathe, Kansas, Gregory Gross US Air Force, Lackland, Texas and Adam Gross of Wattsburg.
Also surviving are his brother Donald Gross and sister Nancy Sabaluski of Hunlock Creek and a brother Robert Gross of Canididauga, New York: a sister-in-law Beverly Gruber of New Tripoli and brother-in-law Harold Riddle of Emlenton, along with several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Mary and Vivian Riddle, and his brother-in-law Henry Gruber.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions, if desired, be directed to Scrubgrass Grange (c/o 2078 Big Bend Rd., Emlenton, PA 16373) or a charity of one’s choice.
Glenn’s family will welcome friends at the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton Street, Clintonville on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place at the funeral home, Friday, April 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with an hour of visitation before the funeral service. Rev. Howard Gaston will be officiating the service.
Friends and family may email condolences by visiting www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net