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Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services - Starks & Menchinger Chapel
2650 Niles Rd
St. Joseph,
MI
49085
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Memories & Candles
Previous
“I am so very sorry to learn that Ross is gone. We were good friends as children and went thru school together at Fairplain. I will always remember...Read More »
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1 of 19 | Posted by: Marion (Slaughter) Fritz - MI
“Ross introduced me to the expressive beauty of dance, challenged me in my own teaching and artistic ideas, and always nurtured and supported me with...Read More »
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2 of 19 | Posted by: Lynn Neuman - New York, NY
“I was unable to make the visitation last week, but wanted to leave a note for Ross's family. Ross was my very first dance teacher. I was only six,...Read More »
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3 of 19 | Posted by: michelle bugg-flaherty - MI
“I am so sad to learn of your passing but I am so very grateful I got the chance to know you. You were so positive and encouraging and you made me...Read More »
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4 of 19 | Posted by: Sharon Detweiler - Grand Island, NY
“I will miss ross very much. he was a good friend and i am glad i was able to see him when i was back about a year ago.
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5 of 19 | Posted by: larryhermanson - renner, SD
“Ross will be missed greatly. He was such a thoughtful person. Ross had such a caring heart, with nice visits and gift for Ms. Christine Praskac....Read More »
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6 of 19 | Posted by: Maria Bailey - Coloma, MI
“A pain was felt in my heart when I heard of Ross' passing. He was such a kind man with a wonderful smile. Our friendship goes back many years. ...Read More »
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7 of 19 | Posted by: Pam (Rader) Behnke - Holiday, MI
“Uncle Ross never gave up on me even though I was the worst dancer in the class. He always made me smile during dance routines buy telling me not to...Read More »
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8 of 19 | Posted by: Katherine Dawson Rose - Coloma, MI
“Ross, even though we only had met a few times, it was obvious that we both shared the same passion for dance. You will be missed.
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9 of 19 | Posted by: Lisa Bredahl - Kalamazoo, MI
“Although I knew Ross for a short time, he felt like a dear friend. I will always remember his kind face at the back of the studio during class, and...Read More »
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10 of 19 | Posted by: Dawn Deahl--Conservatory of Dance - IN
“O Christ our God, give rest to thy servant departed this life; forasmuch as thou lovest mankind.
May Ross' memory be eternal.
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11 of 19 | Posted by: Isabel & Hugh Gibbons - MI
“I have know Ross since the early 70,s when I worked with Mike at the old Pump House in St Joe. One of my best memories was Mike & Ross giving me a...Read More »
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12 of 19 | Posted by: jan mcgee - mishawaka, IN
“Was so sorry to hear about Ross. I have loved him since I was twelve years old.
He has always been like a member of our family.He will be missed.
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13 of 19 | Posted by: Kay WILSON - Onalaska, TX
“Ross, We have been friends since high school. We sang together, danced together, arranged flowers and built floats. Goodbye old friend for now, I...Read More »
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14 of 19 | Posted by: Shirley Schoonmaker Matthias - MI
“Ross was one of the most important people who shaped my life. I came to him as an eight year old ballet student and he turned me into a ballerina. ...Read More »
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15 of 19 | Posted by: Melissa (Tolhuizen) Loeffelholz - CA
“Patience with a beginning "older" ballet student with "no turnout" and no ability to "spot,"that's just one of the many memories I have of Ross. I...Read More »
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16 of 19 | Posted by: karen barnes - FL - friend
“Dear Ross,
You were such a ray of sunshine to our family!! Paige and I will miss you so very much. You always had a smile and a hug for all the...Read More »
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17 of 19 | Posted by: Victoria Mulick - South Haven, MI
“I am pleased to have had Ross as a friend since kindergarten at Fair Plain. Although I have not seen him since high school, I always valued his...Read More »
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18 of 19 | Posted by: Gary Musser - Las Vegas , NV
“Will miss you so much, who is going to yell at me.....Char
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19 of 19 | Posted by: Char Farina - Bridgman, MI
Ross Wilson McDowell, 74, of Benton Harbor, passed away Monday, December 5, 2011, at his home.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday, December 9, 2011 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ross was born on July 8, 1937 in Kokomo, Indiana to Wilson and Betty (Lamb) McDowell. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School and then attended college. Early in life Ross discovered a true passion for dancing. In 1958 Connie Alti and Ross founded the Alti – McDowell Studio of Dance. In the late 1960's he founded the Blossom Shop in Bridgman, where he worked as a florist. Ross worked with Eileen Cropley for the last 9 years at the Citadel Dance Center in Benton Harbor and always lived life to the fullest.
Ross is survived by his loving mother Betty McDowell of Bridgman; sister Bonnie and Husband Marty Dawson of Benton Harbor; nephews Jeffery Dawson of Benton Harbor and David Dawson of Watervliet; niece Katherine Rose of Coloma and many other family members and friends.
Ross was preceded in death by his father Wilson McDowell and brother Mike McDowell.
