Howard E. Hess, 69 years old of Willshire, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in the Lutheran Hospital of Indiana following an accident at his residence on Friday. He was born on Wednesday, December 31, 1941 in Adams County, Indiana the son of the late Robert H. Hess and the late Ida L. (McClish) Hess. He married Judith C. Miller on April 14, 1962 in the Willshire United Methodist Church. Howard was a member of Willshire United Methodist Church, Willshire Lions Club, Willshire Volunteer Fire Department and the Willshire Sportsman Club. He was the owner of Howard's Market from 1967 to 1981. Surviving are his wife, Judith C. Hess of Willshire, son, Bryan E. (Jennifer) Hess of Willshire, daughter, Julia A. (Andy) Groce of New Haven, daughter, Brenda K. (Troy) Kipfer of Bluffton, daughter, Melissa M. (Terry) Myers of Chatt, sister, Carolyn Hart of Findlay, Ohio, sister, Dianna (Jerry) Longerdner of Avilla, Indiana, sister, Janet (Jose) Berlanga of Monroe, sister, Faith (Dan) Fairchild of Decatur, brother, Robert (Betty) Hess of Decatur, brother, Jimmy (Paula) Hess of Decatur, ten grandchildren; Joshua Hess, Brandon Myers, Erica Myers, Johnathan Kipfer, Taylen Kipfer, Ashley McBride, Nicole McBride, Cassie Groce, Billy Groce & Dakota Hess, and four great-grandchildren. Preceding Howard in death were one brother, Wayman Hess; two sisters, Bonnie Hess & Marsha Deardeoff; and three grandchildren, Seth William Kipfer, Sierra Sky Kipfer & Kayla Charlene Kipfer. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with Pastor Bud Larimore officiating. Interment will follow in the Willshire Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 & 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to Willshire-Union United Methodist Church or Willshire Fire Department Kipfer Memorial Scholarship Fund.
