Joseph Earl Ross

Joseph Earl Ross, “Joe”, age 90, of Shoreview MN, formerly of Sandoval IL, passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2019. He was known to many as Papa Joe and Papa Margarita.  He leaves his wife of nearly 62 years, Virginia (Wright) Ross, daughter Susan Pockrandt, son Joe (Maggie), and son David. His grandchildren Amanda, Josh, Isabella, Emma, and Joe will miss his sense of humor and fun.  Joe was born on January 26, 1929 in Sandoval, Illinois. After a brief stint in minor league baseball, he entered the Army in 1950. He saw service in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1952. Joe and Virginia were married in Salem, Illinois in 1957. Joe had a passion for education, working as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. He took pride in his contribution to education and the friendships he made. He was an avid rock hound, loved to make jewelry, garden, and made the best garlic butter steaks. Preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Emma (Basola) Ross, brother, George Ross, sister, Mary Katherine (Sis) Belcher, brother-in-law, John Belcher, son-in-law, Tom Pockrandt, and nephew, Mike Belcher.  Celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 28, 2019 at Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval with Dustin Belcher officiating. Interment will be in the Andereck-McClelland Cemetery in Sandoval. A visitation time will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home in Sandoval. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joe’s honor to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.