Emilie J. Ross

January 22, 1927 - January 18, 2026

Emilie Jean (Winkeljohn) Ross passed away at home on January 18, 2026, at the age of 98. She was born in Celina, Ohio, on January 22, 1927, to Ferd and Jean (Lippencott) Winkeljohn. Emilie graduated from Celina Public Schools in 1945 and from The Ohio State University in 1949. She taught high school English in Celina and on Long Island, New York, before her marriage and, thereafter, in Parma, Ohio, for three years.

On June 26, 1953, she married her high school classmate, Robert Marion Ross, and they lived in Montreal, Canada, while he completed his last year of medical school. They then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, for Bob's residency in pediatrics. Bob's career took the couple from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Sodus, New York, back to Grand Junction, and finally to Whitinsville, Massachusetts. In 1994, they retired to Grand Junction, where they enjoyed bicycling, gardening, volunteering, and spending time with friends. While in Grand Junction, Emilie was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, St. Bridget's Circle, and Camaraderie.

After Bob's death in 2013, Emilie moved to Columbia, Missouri, to be closer to family. While in Columbia, Emilie was a member of St. John Henry Newman Parish. She enjoyed courses at the University of Missouri's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and playing bridge with friends.

Emilie is survived by her daughter, Sarah Ross Maguffee, Sarah's husband Paul, their two sons, Will and Adam, and three nieces and one nephew.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Westbury Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for the care and support they provided.

A visitation will be held at St. John Henry Newman Catholic Church from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with a funeral mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. Emilie's ashes will be buried in the Ross family plot in Celina, Ohio, in a private ceremony at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri (2101 Vandiver Dr., Columbia, MO 65202) or Habitat for Humanity (1305 Business Loop 70E, Columbia, MO 65201).