12/15/05 ~ 05/27/03
Delbert Earl Hess Jr., age 97, returned to his Heavenly Father on May 27, 2003.
He lived a long fruitful life and was dearly loved. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
"Earl" was born December 15, 1905 in Fielding, Utah to Delbert Earl Sr. and Anna Maud Earl Hess. He was the oldest of nine children. He was a graduate of Ogden High School and worked as a meat cutter by profession. In 1926, he married Helen Sampson and had three sons; Neal, Roger and John Hess. They divorced in 1947. On October 16, 1949, he married Kathryn Eleanor Russell in Salt Lake City, Utah and was sealed one year later in the Logan Utah Temple. His wife Kathryn had two daughters from previous marriages; Rogelyn and Linda. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions in the church including, Secretary of High Priests, Sunday School Teacher, Ward and Stake Dance Director, Assistant Ward Clerk, and 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric. In 1967, after retiring, he and Kathryn moved to Nauvoo, Illinois where they renovated and managed the "Village Inn Hotel" owned by the Nauvoo Restoration Inc. They had many opportunities to meet and serve many of the General Authorities of the LDS Church, and also had the opportunity to help build the first LDS chapel in Nauvoo. Four years later, they moved back to Utah and made their home in West Bountiful. He and Kathryn loved to travel around the United States, Canada and Mexico and spent many winters in Southern California. Earl had a love of gardening and produced vegetables sufficient to feed not only his family, but many of his friends and neighbors. He was the epitome of the title "Handyman" and could fix or "make do" anything. Whenever anyone needed help with a job, he was always there. He loved to help others.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; brothers, Lee and Riley; sisters, Norma, Mary and Beulah. Also preceded in death by son Neal Earl; daughter, Rogelyn Pickett Riley; and grandson, Oscar "Jimmy" Webb. Survived by brother, Rex (Thora) Hess; sisters, Betty (Jack) Lampros; Letha Meyers; children, Roger Arnie (Marylyn) Hess; John Patrick (Barbara) Hess; and Linda H. (Gary) Langdon; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff of South Davis Community Hospital for the loving and compassionate care that was given to Earl.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 2, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Bountiful 1st Ward Chapel, 311 North 800 West, West Bountiful, where friends may call from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book and direction map at www.russonmortuary.com.