Mark A. Hess

Mark A. Hess August 17, 1956 September 6, 2013 Mark A. Hess, 57, of In- diana, Pa., passed away on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, at his home. The son of the Pat (Mark) Hess and the late John "Jack" E. Hess, of Boalsburg, Mark was born Aug. 17, 1956, in Bellefonte. He graduated from State College Area High School in 1974, received a B.S. in Health & Physical Education from the Pennsylvania State University in 1978, and an M.S. in Sports Science (Aquatics) from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1985. Mark taught health and physical education at the Indiana Junior High School for over 30 years and championed all efforts and activities that were meant to help students succeed at school and in life. He coached the Indiana High School boys and girls swim teams and the Indiana YMCA Piranhas swim team for more than 30 years. His boys' high school swim teams, which included three of his sons, won the WPIAL championships the past three years. Mark was pleased and humbled to be inducted into the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame this past May, an honor which he shares with all the athletes, parents, and other coaches who helped him achieve it. Mark loved teaching, coaching, and all of the young people that were his students and team members. Mark was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Indiana and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School there for more than 30 years. Mark loved all sports and outdoor endeavors especially fishing, and hunting deer and turkey. He played softball for many years on a team with his father and with the Indiana church league. His ping pong playing skill was unmatched. Mark also enjoyed attending all of the activities in which his four sons participated. Mark was married to the love of his life, Sherene (Heckman) Hess, for 21 years. He also is survived by four sons: Adam, Logan, Grant, and Gage, all of Indiana; his sister, Lee Ann Hess Candor and her husband, Jim, of State College; his dear cousins, Joan Corman Pecht and partner, Nevin Dutrow, and Tracey Corman Moore and husband, Rex, of State College; Shelley Corman and husband, Kim Erb, of Houston Texas; father-in-law, Sherwood Heckman, Millheim; sister-in-law, Jennifer Beres and husband, Michael, of State College; brothers-in-law Timothy Heckman and Kristian Heckman, of Woodward; many special aunts, uncles, and cousins; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Lorene Wance. The family will receive friends on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, and Wednesday Sept 11, 2013, from 28 p.m. at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home, Indiana. A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Indiana on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at 11 a.m. A memorial and committal service at Zion Lutheran Church, Boalsburg will be held on Friday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m., with visitation preceding the service from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to Zion Lutheran Church, Indiana and the Indiana High School Swim Team Boosters Club. On line condolences may be made at www.rbfh.net.