Lester B. Hess, 92, of Lebanon, died peacefully following a lengthy illness at Audubon Villa, Lititz, on Thursday, August 15, 2013. Born in East Petersburg, he was the son of the late Walter G. and Elsie Beamesderfer Hess. Lester was the husband of Edith Messner Hess and they would have observed their 39th wedding anniversary in November of this year. His first wife was the late Mary E. “Betty” Fisher Hess who died in 1957. Lester was an agricultural dealer in hay and straw and had many farm clients in the south central Pennsylvania area; previously he was owner and operator of his own farm in Lebanon County for many years. Lester attended Lebanon Valley Bible Church. His interests included: reading, traveling, attending public sales, and he was an accomplished Piper Cub airplane pilot.
Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Richard F. Hess of Lancaster, two grandchildren: Rachel Elizabeth Hess and Daniel Stewart Hess, and a sister, Arlene wife of Frank Hoxworth of East Petersburg. Preceding him in death are three brothers: Ray, Richard and Elwood Hess.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service at the Buch Funeral Home 21 Market Square, Manheim, on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 3:00PM. Interment will be private in East Petersburg Mennonite Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday afternoon at the funeral home from 2:00 PM until the time of the service.
Those desiring may send contributions in Lester’s memory to the Lebanon Valley Bible Church 1482 Horseshoe Pike, Lebanon, PA 17042.