Emma "Lavern" (Hamilton) Gross, age 95, of Madison, Indiana, and the daughter of the late Nolan B. Sr. and Vera (Dunlap) Hamilton, was born on December 12, 1930, in Milton, Kentucky. In 1946, at the young age of 16, she was united in marriage to Wilbur Gross and they were blessed with one son, Michael David Gross. For many years, she served as the credit manager at the Sears Hometown Store in Madison. Before retiring, she traveled across the country helping open new stores and training their employees. Following her career in retail, she spent five years working at the local car wash. A lifelong believer in Jesus Christ, she was baptized in the Ohio River in 1949. She was a member of Milton Baptist Church and a former member of the Madison Moose Lodge. Lavern cherished time with her family, enjoyed shopping, tending her flower garden with care, and loved traveling - especially to Las Vegas. Lavern was well-liked by everyone who knew her and had a great sense of humor. Ms. Gross passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Hickory Creek at Madison.

Her life will be cherished by her son: Michael Gross, of Milton, Kentucky; her granddaughters: Jackie Gross and her companion Chris Mendez of Phoenix, Arizona and Dawna Tavenner and her husband Curt of Auburn, Washington; her grandson: Chris Rasmussen and his wife, Jordan and their daughters, Charlotte and Josephine, of Madison, Indiana; her sister Orena Burkhardt, of Madison; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Jason Gross; her brothers: Raymond Hamilton, Forman Hamilton, and Nolan Hamilton, Jr.; and her sister Virginia Sachleben.

Pastor Frank McGee will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, April 17, 2026 at Lytle Welty Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Vail Chapel, 117 Holt Drive, Madison with interment to follow in Moffett Cemetery in Milton, Kentucky. Friends and family may visit at the Lytle Welty Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Vail Chapel from 11:00 AM until the time of the service on Friday.