Darwin A. Ross, 85, of rural Mendota passed away Aug. 6, 2016, in OSF St. Paul Hospital, Mendota.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton with Pastor Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be at Greenfield Cemetery, LaMoille with military rites by VFW Post 4079.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Darwin was born June 4, 1931, in LaMoille to Elmer and Irene (Portzen) Ross. He married Margaret Larabee on Feb. 9, 1958, in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton.

Darwin attended grade school and high school in LaMoille. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 1951-53. He returned to LaMoille to continue farming.

Darwin was an active member of Immauel Lutheran Church for 58 years, serving on many church committees. He served 12 years on the Ophir school board in Triumph. He also served on the Mendota Farmers Cooperative board for several years. He was a member of American Legion Post 1043. Darwin farmed in the LaMoille and Mendota areas until the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Mendota; three sons, Craig (Renee) Ross of Chillicothe and their children, Joshua and Gabriel; Mark (Jill) Ross of Mendota and their children, Benjamin and Zachary; and Kirk (Kathy) Ross of Mendota and their children, Emily, Luke, and Olivia; two brothers, Eldon and Ronald (Jessie) Ross; and one sister Marilyn (Myron) Goetz; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Scott; an infant grandson, William; and one sister-in-law, Marilyn (Bell) Ross.

Memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or to the donor's choice.