In Passing

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Robert “Bob” Harold Ross

Robert “Bob” Harold Ross passed away at his nursing home on Jan. 3, 2026, in Williamsburg, Va., at age 80, following his battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on Feb. 24, 1945, in Port Huron, Mich., the son of G. Gordon Ross, Jr. and Winona (Snowdon) Ross, and the brother of Ruth Claire (Ross) Dickinson, all of whom have predeceased him.

He is survived by: his beloved wife, Theda L. Rudd; his son, David W. Rudd Ross (Mackenzie L. lsrael-Trummel); and his two grandchildren, Amina Z. Rudd-Trummel (7) and Demetrius P. Israel-Ross (4), who lovingly called him “GrandBob.”

He was very proud of his affiliation with top-rated firms in their fields: in sales for Bastian-Blessing Foodservice Equipment, as an independent owner/operator of two McDonald’s Restaurants in Grand Rapids, Mich., and in management with Ross and Associates Marketing, Inc. for 27 years, also in Grand Rapids. He was proud of his military service from 1967 through 1969 as a Captain in the Quartermaster Corps of the U.S. Army.

He served his community by volunteering and serving on boards of directors for various local U.S. Junior Chambers, Urban Leagues, Ronald McDonald Houses, Boy Scouts of America, the Tri-Community Food Bank (AZ), and similar business and professional organizations.

Bob and Theda resided in Okemos, Mich., until their retirement to the SaddleBrooke community in Tucson, Ariz., in 2013. They then relocated to Williamsburg, Va., in 2020 to be near their family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Whiting’s Funeral Home in Williamsburg, Va., on Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. At his request, please feel free to bring a “bad Bob joke” to share! Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Bob’s memory to the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan or to a charity of your choice.

Full obituary can be read at whitingsfuneralhome.com.

Dianne Marks

Dianne Fleming Marks, of Oro Valley, Ariz., passed away peacefully with family at her bedside on the morning of Dec. 29, 2025, after a two-week hospital stay.

Born to Claude and Sarah Fleming in Monroe, Ga., in 1942, Dianne attended Monroe High School where she was a member of the Monroe Girls Corps and marched as a drum majorette in the 1959 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She received her B.A. from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and after graduation joined the Southern Bell Telephone Company’s first management program for women. She met the love of her life, medical student Bill Marks, on a blind date and they married Dec. 23, 1966.

During the Vietnam War they lived in Okinawa, Japan, where Bill was a physician. Over the years they lived in Dallas, Texas, Charleston, S.C., and Easley, S.C. Dianne worked as a real estate agent in Charleston, S.C. After both daughters went to college, Dianne got her master’s degree from Clemson University and she and Bill moved to Greensboro, N.C., where Dianne was a professor of sociology at a community college. She and Bill retired to Oro Valley, Ariz. where they found a wonderful community of dear friends.

Dianne loved deeply and had a fabulous zest for life. From driving her red Miata convertible to soaking up the sun gazing out at the ocean (drink in hand) to laughing with her friends and family and cheering on her beloved Georgia Bulldogs, she knew what carpe diem meant. Her legacy lives on every time someone puts on an outfit with a little more bling than usual. Every time someone flips the tassel on their graduation cap after fighting for their right to be educated. Every time people start living their lives to the fullest.

Dianne is survived by her daughters, Honor Marks and Kate Marks Sojka (Jeff); two grandchildren, Nat Sojka and Charlie Jordan; her sister-in-law, Ginger Espy Page (Bill); and nieces and nephews. We are certain she has reunited with our dad, her beloved husband of 55 years, who preceded her in death.

In honor of Dianne’s exuberance, family and friends gathered for a champagne toast celebrating her life on New Year’s Eve day in Tucson, Ariz. Dianne and Bill’s ashes will return to Augusta, Ga., for a private interment in Westover Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dianne’s memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders.

Robert A. Hanson

Robert “Bob” Aaron Hanson passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 2025, in his apartment home at The Tradition Senior Living.

Bob was born on Oct. 13, 1942, in Independence, Iowa, to Chester and Genevieve (Sechler) Hanson. He grew up with his older sister, Sharon, and younger brother, Richard. They moved to Rochester, Minn., in August of 1949. Bob attended Rochester Public Schools, with one year and two summers at Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, Minn. Bob played football in high school, and graduated from John Marshall High School in Rochester in 1961. Bob worked part-time at a local lumber yard and learned architectural drafting. Bob attended Rochester Community College and the University of Minnesota.

In 1963, Bob married Donna Linderbaum. They had one son, Paul. They later divorced. Bob moved to Detroit, Mich., and began working for Paul Revere Life Insurance Company. He later transferred to a new position with Paul Revere in Dallas, Texas.

On Jan. 17, 1981, Bob married Cynthia “Cindy” Crall in Dallas. Bob designed and oversaw the building of their home in Garland, Texas, where they lived with Cindy’s two sons, David and Michael Williams. Cindy was a teacher at Club Hill Elementary, and Bob worked for Paul Revere until his early retirement at age 55.

In 1997, Bob and Cindy moved to the SaddleBrooke community in Tucson, Ariz. They enjoyed time with friends, hosting and attending parties, travelling to see their kids and grandchildren. Bob enjoyed golfing, driving fast cars, watching movies, collecting Western art, and listening to music. Bob and Cindy were kind, generous, and fun-loving people.

In 2022, Bob and Cindy returned to Dallas. Cindy (Crall) Hanson passed away on April 29, 2024, in Dallas while a resident at The Tradition Senior Living.

Bob is survived by his son Paul (Krista) Hanson of Minneapolis, Minn.; Cindy’s sons Michael (Kim) of Burr Ridge, Ill.; and David (Hawni) Williams of Dallas; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sister Sharon (David) Reier of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Tucson, Ariz.; Cindy’s brother Colby (Mary) Crall of Columbus, Ohio; Cindy’s sister-in-law Edie Crall of Tucson, Ariz.; extended family, and close friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard of Coon Rapids, Minn.; and brother-in-law Boyd “Butch” Crall of Tucson, Ariz.

Bob will be buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, Minn.

Samuel I. Horowitz

Samuel I. Horowitz, 79, died Aug. 18, 2025, in Rockville, Md., after a yearlong battle with leukemia. He and his wife, Lorna Michelson, were residents of SaddleBrooke for 14 years. Their marriage was 48 years strong.

A Celebration of Life for Sam will take place on Friday, Jan. 30, in the HOA1 Clubhouse at the Vermillion Room at 10 a.m. Sam’s son Daniel, a frequent visitor to SaddleBrooke, and his wife Kimmy Feinstein will be attending. Please feel free to share your reflections, stories, and memories of this truly warm, scholarly, and honorable man.

Additionally your thoughts and wishes for Lorna will be appreciated. Lorna has permanently relocated to a memory care facility in Tampa, Fla.

Sam was born on April 9, 1946, in New York City to Fayga Keidan Horowitz and Dr. A. David Horowitz. He grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, before studying political science at City College of New York. Sam served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, ran a college Hillel, lived on a kibbutz in Israel, led missions to provide relief to Jews in the USSR, and spent 35 years as a Jewish Federation professional.

Sam was a former chair of the board of the Institute for Judaic Services and Studies, now Congregation B’nai Midbar, and active in numerous clubs in SaddleBrooke, including Great Decisions, the Spanish Club, and the Democratic Club. An avid fan of civil rights activism, national parks, and various folk music traditions, Sam took many Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) classes and even performed in the SaddleBrooke theater.

In addition to Lorna, Sam is survived by his sons Ari Horowitz (Heather Hall) of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., and Daniel Feinstein (Kimmy Feinstein) of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Davina and Jeremiah Horowitz; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends and family. Services and interment were held in Paramus, N.J., in August 2025.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Jewish World Service, ajws.org, in honor of Sam’s lifelong passions for Judaism, human rights, and international development.

Paul Samuel Harrison

Paul Samuel Harrison was born in Wyandotte, Mich., on April 21, 1945, to Clyde and Gladys Harrison. He passed away on Nov. 11, 2025.

Paul Harrison Graduated from Wyandotte Theodore Roosevelt High School in June 1963. He worked at Ford Motor Company for a couple of years. He then joined the U.S. Air Force in 1965. He was sent to Wichita Falls in Texas for training. Paul continued to serve in the Michigan National Guard and retired in 1986.

Paul worked for Ford Motor Company for 32 years. He moved to Tucson with his wife Marilyn in 2000.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn Mitchell Harrison. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Rita Ann Harrison.

He is also survived by his sons: Kevin A. Harrison of Michigan, Thomas J. Higgins (Julie) of California, David S. Higgins (Reiko) of Washington. Also survived by brothers Edward Harrison (Ann) of Florida and Dennis (Harrison) of Georgia. Preceded in death by brothers James, Alston, twin sisters Viola and Violet Harrison.

Paul belonged to the American Legion and The Knights of Columbus (he was a 4th degree Knight). He was a devoted member at Santa Catalina Catholic Parish for a number of years. He was also a member of the Royal Lancers Drum and Bugle Corp in his early years in Michigan.

Paul was truly loved by many and had a lot of friends. Doctors and nurses delighted in his humor and friendship. He loved telling golf jokes. Playing golf and softball were a passion for him until he fractured his hip in 2016. Playing cribbage and board games was a total joy to him.

Paul loved his family very dearly and his family adored him.

Charities suggested in Paul’s name: Disabled American Veterans, American Diabetes Association, and Senior Village in SaddleBrooke, Tucson, Ariz.

John Courtney Vaughan

John Courtney Vaughan passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at age 74. He was born on June 28, 1951, in Chicago, Ill.

He is the beloved husband of Elizabeth Caroline Rathbun and loving father of Alexander Vaughan (Christina) and Caroline Vaughan. He is the grandfather of Henry Vaughan. He is survived by his brother Richard Vaughan.

John graduated from Rockford College with a business major and an economics minor. He worked as a manager of Sears in the automotive department in Oak Park for a few years and then started working for his dad’s advertising agency Vaughan, Thain and Spencer. John ran the agency for 20 years after his dad died. He was a wonderful writer and extremely talented.

John enjoyed playing volleyball, golf, and baseball and continued when we moved to SaddleBrooke in Tucson, Ariz., in 2014. He enjoyed the ballroom dance club, nature club, pickleball, and long walks in the mountains.

Maureen Benigno

Maureen (Ward) Benigno, aged 81, passed away on Nov. 10, 2025, at SaddleBrooke, Ariz. She was born on Dec. 12, 1943, in New York City to Patrick and Ellen (O’Connell) Ward. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 58 years, Anthony; their lovely and caring daughters, Helene Benigno and Christine Wade; their granddaughters, Natalie Wade and Vivian Stich, and grandson, Liam Wade; sister-in-law, Linda Ward; nephews, Patrick (Gina) Ward, Matthew Ward, and Rick DeBonis, and nieces, Susan (Charlie) Bevington and Anne (Bill) Dieck; and cousins, Fr. Maurice O’Mahony, Philip Reilly, Marion (Anthony) Bieber, William Lyons, and Daniel (Roonie) Lyons, and many cousins from the Ward and O’Connell families in Ireland. Maureen was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Holly Wade, her brother, Matthew Ward, and her parents.

She was a proud resident of New York until 1999, when she retired to Arizona with her husband, Anthony. She was a 1962 graduate of Aquinas Academy and studied at Queens College. She worked as a project manager and also as a manager of customer relations for American Medical and Life Insurance Company in Long Island, New York, and as an executive secretary at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s home office in New York City. Maureen’s first passion was her family. She loved traveling with her husband around the world, going on adventures, golf, tennis, ceramics, Mahjong, Texas Hold’em, and reading historical fiction and graphology.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. at Santa Catalina Catholic Church, 14380 North Oracle Rd., Tucson, Ariz., on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Reception will immediately follow in the Church Hall.

Erika P. Williams

Erika P. Williams, nee Rode, 87, of Illinois. Beloved wife of the late Charles W. Williams. Devoted mother of Gerhard Richter Sr. and Reiner Richter, and stepmother of Joseph (Karen) Williams, Michael (Dawn) Williams, and Julie (John) Clark. Loving grandmother of Gerhard (Tammy) Richter Jr., Ryan, Nathan, and Edward Richter, and step-grandmother of Robert (Sonia) Williams, Cory (Danielle) Williams, Christopher (Zubie) Williams, Nick Williams, Anthony Williams, Alyssa (Reese) Hunter, and Allison (Brett) Westra. Caring great-grandmother of Alyssa, Diana, Savannah, Parisa, Sheyda, Caden, Grace, Piper, Jayden, Brandon, Austin, Brooks, Leeroy, and Ella. Cherished daughter of the late Emil and Erna Rode. Dear sister of Willi (Erika) Rode.

A memorial visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 30, from noon until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 330 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, Ill. Funeral information or online condolences at www.ahlgrimfuneral.com or 847-882-5580.