Ruth E. Cross, 63, of Freeport, IL, passed away on September 19, 2025 at FHN. She was born on January 13, 1962 in Merrill, WI, to Gerald and Cora (Tobias) Gerloff. She married David Cross on July 12, 1980 in Lanark, IL. She was a Freeport School District employee for many years.

Survivors include her husband David Cross, three sons: Gerald (Brandy) Cross, Joseph (Heidi) Cross, and Chad Cross; brother Donald Gerloff, sister Rose (Robert) Wagens, two grandchildren: Bailey Cross and Gavin Cross, her beloved guard dog Scooby, and many loving uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the doctors and staff at the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center, as well as the FHN Hospice staff.

She was preceded in death by parents Cora and Gerald Gerloff, sister Christine Gerloff, and mother-in-law Elaine Cross.

A funeral service will be held on Friday September 26, 2025 at 12 PM, with visitation at 11 AM until time of service, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport, IL. Visitation will be from 5 PM - 7 PM on Thursday September 25, 2025, also at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel.

A memorial has been established in her memory.