Ross Alan Mahan

Ross Alan Mahan (72, Jackson) went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 7, 2025, at his home in Jackson, Michigan. Ross was born on October 10, 1952, in Pontiac, Michigan to Carl and Wanda Mahan. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carla, four children, Kara (Wade) Renando, of Jackson, MI, Nathan (Kate) Mahan of Jackson, MI, Erin (Nick) Hasulak of Gilbert, AZ, and Megan (Charles) Gandee, of Lorton, VA, as well as 13 grandchildren, William, Daniel, James, Frances, Carl, Thomas, June, Clare, Martin, Ada, Lily, Gabriel, and Jonathan, his brother, Art (Mary) Mahan, of Pendleton, IN, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ross was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Wanda Mahan.  

After graduating from Pontiac Northern High School in 1970, Ross went on to attend Fort Wayne Bible College where he met his wife of 48 years, Carla. After graduating from college, he and Carla were married on August 28, 1976. Their marriage was blessed with four children.  

After serving in various churches as a pastor and youth pastor, Ross was instrumental in helping to establish the Reformed Baptist Church of Lenawee in the early 1980s. In 1984, Ross went to work as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual, which was the beginning of a 34-year long career. He and his family moved to Jackson in 1990, where he took over the agency in Jackson. After moving to Jackson his theological journey took him to the Lutheran church, where he discovered a love for the Lutheran Confessions. He always had a desire to pursue the ministry again, and that opportunity presented itself after he helped to establish Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jackson in 1997. He accepted a call to be the pastor of Faith Lutheran in 1998 and went on to do additional seminary studies through the Concordia Lutheran Conference. He served as the pastor of Faith Lutheran until November of 2024.  

Ross will be remembered by many for his sense of humor. He loved a good joke and was particularly skilled at coming up with puns. His children will always fondly remember their dad’s offbeat sense of humor and fun family traditions that he instituted during their childhood. He had a great deal of pride in his family and loved telling people about his children and grandchildren and sharing pictures. Ross loved to read and write. He kept journals for his entire adult life. He especially enjoyed studying history and theology and never shied away from a theological or political discussion. He had a love for all types of music, and a particular fondness for opera. He possessed a wonderful singing voice and sang for many years with various groups, including the Jackson Chorale and the Jackson Mens Chorus. He served on the boards for the Jackson Chorale and Jackson Right to Life. He was an active member of the Jackson Breakfast Rotary Club for many years and rarely missed a meeting. What truly defined Ross was his Christian faith. He worked very hard to instill this faith in his children and grandchildren and never hesitated to share his faith with everyone he met.  

A celebration of Ross’s life will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3637 Spring Arbor Rd., Jackson, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 am, Reverend Anthony Voltattorni officiating. Interment will take place at Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church Designated Endowment Fund through the Jackson Community Foundation, which was set up to support Trinity Lutheran School. The family will receive visitors on Friday, April 11 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Watson Funeral Chapel, 2590 Spring Arbor Rd., Jackson, and Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Redeemer Lutheran Church.  

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