- Date Of Birth: May 27, 1923
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2009
- State: Illinois
Paul E. Hess, 86, of Jacksonville, IL died Saturday morning, August 1, 2009 at Barton W. Stone Home in Jacksonville.
He was born May 27, 1923 in Concord, IL; the son of Louis and Clara Yeck Hess. He married Helen Goodpasture on October 29, 1944 and she survives.
Paul and Helen were parents of three children, Richard Hess (wife, Cheryl) of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL, Duane Hess (wife, Sharon) of Jacksonville, and Janet Vasey (husband, Raymond) of rural Jacksonville; grandparents to six grandchildren, Amy Easterling (husband, Dr. Gary) of Sarasota, FL, Therron Hess (wife, Lori) of Valparaiso, IN, Michael Vasey (wife, Kate) of Indianapolis, IN, Jonathan Vasey of Jacksonville, Andrea Hess, who preceded in death during infancy, and Jason Hess, who preceded in death in 2005; and great grandparents to five great grandchildren. He was also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Myers, and three brothers, Clifford, Floyd, and Howard Hess.
A 1941 graduate of Chapin High School, Mr. Hess was a farmer and longtime advocate of soil conservation. He used contour planting, grass waterways, dry dams, and pond construction in the early 1940s, and incorporated conservation farming into his operations in the late 1980s. He formerly served eight years on the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation board and was a longtime member of the Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau.
With the heart of a servant, he was a lifelong member of Concord United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities. An avid gardener, he served his neighbors and friends by sharing his produce. A devoted grandpa, he spent countless hours attending his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities. A former youth baseball coach in Arenzville, he possessed a unique ability to communicate with children and provide encouragement.
