Ross J. Ewers

Ross J. Ewers, 81, a resident of Donahue, Iowa passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, December 13, 2008 at the home of his daughter, Debbie Harry in Princeton, Iowa.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove, Iowa. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Davenport, Iowa where military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Genesis Hospice or the Disabled American Veterans. Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ross was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin on July 17, 1927 to Ross A. & Mayme (Walsh) Ewers. He served in the Army during World War II in Japan as a truck driver at the age of 19. He earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying in his younger years, often “buzzing” the home of his future wife, Eileen.
He married Eileen Alvin on November 27, 1950 in Wisconsin and soon after, they moved to Davenport.
The majority of his working career was in construction. He worked in his earlier years with his father and later for the Labor Union Local 309 of Rock Island, Illinois where he was a member for over 50 years.
Ross enjoyed having a garden and was able to have one with the help of his children even up to the end of his life. He was always giving away the extra vegetables he grew. So, if you came to visit, you were going home with a big bag of homegrown vegetables. He enjoyed his cats, “Arthur” and “Baby” and loved the living in the country where his feline children could roam freely.
He was a strong-willed person who survived the odds that were given him. He was first placed in hospice care 4 years ago where, with the help of his favorite hospice nurse, Kayla, was “kicked out” because of his will to survive. This past September, after a fall at home, he was placed back in hospice care and was taken care of by Karen, Benny, Chris, Amanda, Dottie & Tom. With their help and support, Ross was able to stay at home until this past Friday. On Friday afternoon, he went to his daughter’s home in Princeton to stay “just long enough to get stronger.” But it wasn’t meant to be……
Ross is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eileen; his brother Dalton Ewers in New Mexico; his sister, Patty Mayo, of Davenport; his children, Dennis (Theresa) Ewers of Eldridge, Debbie (Joel) Harry of Princeton, Iowa, Dale & Neta Ewers of Davenport and Diane (Greg) Davis of Wheatland, Iowa; his grandchildren, Brian, Lynn & Paige Ewers, Michael Harry, and Sara & Katie Davis; and his step-grandchildren, Ronnie Stout and Connie Bickmore.
His feline children, Arthur & Baby who were his constant companions and faithfully watched over him, also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his eldest son, David in 1989; his sisters, Hallie Pimentel and Rebecca Bailey; and his brother, Johnny Ewers.
The family would like to say a special thank you to all of the hospice nurses that helped take care of him the first time and then the last time. With your help, he was able to fulfill his wish to be at home. They would also like to thank the staff of Genesis Medical Center and the University of Iowa Hospital for the care they gave him while he was there.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing the obituary at
www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.