Ernest Fabian Koss, of 406 Thornton St., Sharon, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at 1:54 p.m. Sunday (11-1-09) in the emergency room of UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 87.

Mr. Koss was born April 18, 1922, in Sharon, the son of Fabian C. and Caroline Mason Koss.

A lifelong city resident, he graduated from Sharon High School in 1941.

He was employed at the former Sharon Steel Corp.’s Farrell plant as a millwright and retired in 1983. After his retirement he spent countless hours assisting his son Keith restoring cars in Brookfield.

During World War II he served with the 101st Airborne Division, commonly known as the “Screaming Eagles,” a U.S. Army modular infantry division trained for air assault operations. His unit parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy, France, prior to the D-Day invasion to dismantle German-held infrastructure. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war and later escaped to rejoin the Allied forces.

Mr. Koss was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his son Alan at his hunting camp in Penfield, Pa.

His wife, Alice M. Schmidt, whom he married Feb. 1, 1947, survives at home.

He also leaves his two sons, Keith N. Koss and his wife Vicki of Brookfield; and Alan G. Koss and his wife Debbie, Hubbard; five grandchildren, Lance Koss, Angel Owens, and Chris, Alan, and Melodie Koss. He also leaves his two great-grandchildren, Carter and Victoria Owens.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Eugene “Gene” C. Koss on Aug. 29, 2008.

KOSS

Ernest Fabian, 87, of 406 Thornton St., Sharon.

Calling hours: 5 to 7 p.m. today (11-3-09) and from 10 a.m. to time of service Wednesday (11-4-09) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Condolences may be sent by visiting the Web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday (11-4-09) in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bill Johnson, pastor of Brookfield United Methodist Church, officiating. Full military honors by Sharon Honor Guard.

Interment: Private.