Wilbur “Sonny” Ruskin Rose Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully at home on September 23, 2026. Born on October 20, 1936, in Crestline, Ohio, to the late Wilbur Ruskin Rose Sr. and Zoa Ilene (Garverick) Rose, Sonny grew up with an unbeatable work ethic, an infectious sense of humor, and a lifelong love for storytelling.
A 1954 graduate of Galion High School, Sonny’s hustle started early: by age 13 he was running three paper routes, by 16 he was digging graves at the local cemetery, and in between he set pins at the bowling alley for five cents a line. Growing up, his family ran the Gulf and Sinclair service station, where Wilbur developed a passion for mechanics and working on cars—a love affair that started with his first ’47 Ford, extended to his beloved Buick, and lasted a lifetime. In his youth, you could find him at the drive-in, roller-skating, dancing the bunny hop, tuning into Inner Sanctum radio mysteries, or hanging out with his childhood pets, including a goat and a favorite chicken named Nicodemus.
From 1954 to 1957, Sonny proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Robinson (DD-562) as a Radarman, a tour he cherished deeply—even making an appearance in the 1956 film Away All Boats. Following his military service, Sonny became a true master of all trades, excelling in carpentry, painting, roofing, masonry, and auto mechanics, later retiring from his career as a lineman.
Sonny never met a stranger and possessed a rare, timeless gift: he was present. Unbothered by the distraction of modern screens, he devoted his undivided time, patience, and attention to raising his family and loving his grandchildren. He was the “Giving Tree” of the family, offering unconditional love and a helping hand wherever needed.
A man who truly believed in love and companionship, Sonny approached life with an open heart and an enduring optimism about the future. He had a playful spark that never dimmed; he often joked about being a “dirty old man,” harbored a lifelong fondness for blondes, and flirted shamelessly with his hospital nurses and favorite waitresses (especially on his daily visits to Bob Evans). He loved listening to Patsy Cline, gathering at Navy ship reunions, researching his family’s genealogy, and reminiscing about his legend of a dog, Billy, whom he swore was the best dog to ever live.
Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marlene (Rose) Morthland; and her husband Allen Morthland; and his sister-in-law, Lois Rose (wife of Donald).
He is survived by his brother, Donald Rose of Crestline, OH; his children: Michael Rose (Ruth) of De Soto, MO, Patricia (Rose) Nash of Bucyrus, OH, and Tracie Rose of Bucyrus, OH; his cherished grandchildren, including Colleen Doyle (Nathan) of De Soto, MO, Amber Packard (James Parmer) of Crestline, OH, Tiffany Almahaieri of Santee, CA, Heather Rose (David Sabrowski) of Bucyrus, OH, Amanda Bates (Kyle) of Findlay, OH, and Sean Nash of Bucyrus, OH; as well as many great-grandchildren, shipmates, and dear friends who will miss his stories, his laughter, and his presence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sonny’s memory to Serenity Hospice Care, 5218 St. Genevieve Avenue, Farmington, Missouri 63640, or online at serenityhospiceandhome.org.
