Velma Miles Gross, 91, a resident of Elk Haven Nursing Home and formerly of 631 Cedar Road, St. Marys, PA passed away on November 27, 2022, at Elk Haven.

She was born April 26, 1931 in Ridgway, PA, daughter of the late Sarah Hasselman Miles.  She graduated from Central Christian High School in 1949, and on September 9, 1950 she married Jay Gross Jr. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Her husband Jay preceded her in death on April 11, 2021.

While Velma was busy raising nine children, she found a second home at the St. Marys Public Library, working part-time from 1969-2020.  Her family thanks all of Velma’s co-workers for all of their love and kindness.  This was an ideal job for Velma, since she was a voracious reader, who kept her husband, Jay, busy adding new bookshelves in their home to contain her ever growing collections.

She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Masterpiece Theater, lunching out at the Village Peddler and Hoss’s with Jay, and spending time with her beloved cats, especially Gracie.

Velma will be remembered for her loving commitment to her family, and being one of the most kind and sweetest persons most people have ever met.

Velma is survived by six children: Lynda O’Connor and Valerie Gerg of St. Marys; Mary Gross (Jeff Poling) of Elkins, WV; Alan Gross (Amy), Mark Gross (Amy), and Tom Gross (Sheila) of Kersey; and by grandchildren: Kim Gross, Renata Haberberger, Joshua Gross, Leanne Smith, Crystal Thompson, Adam Gross, Adam Azzato, Patrick O’Connor, Caleb Gross, Justine Pesce, Ashley Poling, Dustin Gross, Amber Kisner, Evan Gerg, and Bree Keller; and by numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Velma was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Benninger; two sons: James “Casey” Gross and Bob Gross; and daughter-in-law, Sandy Gross; two grandchildren: Sherry Benninger and Brandon Gerg; and by two sisters: Eileen Erich and Sara Jane Schaberl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 10:30 AM, with the Rev. Thomas Curry, OSB, Pastor, officiating. 

Visitation with the family will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM.

Due to the Bah Humbug Festival at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, we kindly request that anyone attending the funeral park in either the back lot at Sacred Heart Church or in the parking lot of the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the St. Marys Public Library, 127 Center Street, St. Marys, PA  15857 or to the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 East Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA  15857.

Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.