Justin Blair Cross, age 24, died Wednesday, January 5, 2005 in Indianapolis after a courageous four and one-half year battle with leukemia. He was born November 24, 1980 to Ronald L. & Linda L. Roberts Cross in Richmond, Indiana
He attended Garrison and Test schools before graduating from Richmond High School in 1999. At RHS he was a member of the golf team for four years where he participated on the 1997 State Championship team. He went on to attend Ball State University and play on the Men's Golf Team, where he earned Academic-All American honors in 2003. His exceptional golf talent earned him many honors on local, state and national levels. In addition to being an avid golfer, he was active in numerous school and community associations including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ, Athletes in Action and the Ball State Student Athlete Advisory Board. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Richmond where he was baptized and confirmed in 1993. He had been attending worship services in Muncie, Indianapolis and in Richmond at First English Lutheran Church.
Survivors in addition to his parents, include:
His wife - Rachel DeJong of Richmond, whom he married December 31, 2004
Sister - Whitney Mires and her husband Jon of Littleton, Colorado
Father and Mother-in-law - Johan and Cindy DeJong of Richmond
Paternal Grandparents - James Lloyd and Anna Evelyn Cross of Monticello, KY.
Step-parents - Melanie Bertsch-Cross of Liberty, Indiana
Doug Owens of Phoenix, Arizona
Several aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law and step-siblings.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Walter & Laura Roberts.
A memorial service to celebrate Justin's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday (January 8, 2005) in First English Lutheran Church, 2727 National Road East, Richmond, IN. The family will receive guests in a reception to be held immediately following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond High School Athletic Department, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374, to any local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or to a favorite charity. Riggle - Waltermann Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
www.riggle-waltermann.com