Janet Hess

Rev. Janet K. Hess (1943-2022)

Rev. Janet K. Hess, 78, died January 24th at Riddle Hospital, Media, PA. following a brief “Hope-filled” struggle with cancer. Born March 23, 1943, in Harrisburg, PA. She was the daughter of the late Charles R. Hess and K. Isaballa (Sweitzer) Hess. Janet graduated from Mechanicsburg High School (1961) and received her under graduate degree from Juniata College (1965)

Following her college graduation she lived in Salem, Massachusetts for 15 years and received a Master of Education degree from Salem State College in 1979. While in Salem she was a Secondary School English teacher at Danvers High School for 12 years. She also attended Andover Newton Theological School and Boston University School of Theology. During the 1981-82 year she was pastor of West Duxbury United Methodist Church.

Moving back to Pennsylvania, she then received her Masters of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Janet was ordained a United Methodist minister Deacon 1984 and an Elder in full connection in 1986. Janet served United Methodist Churches in Eastern Pennsylvania, Tremont: St. John’s & First, Joliett, Shamokin, Ranshaw, Erdenheim, Philadelphia: Frankford Memorial and Media: First, retiring in 2005. In retirement she served as Pastor at Springfield: CC Hancock and Springfield: Covenant UMC churches, for a total of 38 years in parish ministry.

Janet enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to go to many wonderful places abroad and in the United States. During many of her travels she went on mission trips with Discovery Service Projects to help others in need. Janet loved to read, especially mysteries. She loved card games, board games, watching movies, hanging out with friends, the beach and eating hard shell crabs. She also really loved being a pastor, teaching, preaching and “shepherding her flocks”.

Janet Lived in Hope and died in Hope!

For the past 10 years Janet resided at Riddle Village, where she enjoyed activities with new friends, served on residences council and lead Bible studies.

In addition to her parents Janet is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 30 years, the Rev. William (Bill) Blose and her sister Jane Deloyce Hess. Rev. Hess is survived by step-children David A. Blose of Newark, Ohio and Karin E. Blose of Reading. Janet was blessed with special relationships, that she named as “Bonus Family” with whom she shared many special moments with.

Relationships were important to Janet…she will be greatly missed by Family, Friends, Former Parishioners and Colleagues.

A private interment was held on February 4, 2022 at Limerick Garden of Memories.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 2pm at Lima United Methodist Church (209 N. Middletown Rd., Lima, PA 19063). Clergy are invited to robe and process.

Contributions: In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Janet to Lima United Methodist Church, 209 N. Middletown Rd., Lima, PA 19063, Discovery Service Projects, P.O. Box 172, Pipersville, Pennsylvania 18947, or The Riddle Village Educational Fund for Employee’s Advancement 1048 W Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063

Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home, 15 E. 4TH Street, Media, PA
www.haganfuneralhome.com