Harold E. Hess

GETTYSBURG Harold Edward Hess, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at The Gettysburg Lutheran Retirement Village. He was the loving husband of the late Larita (Shulley) "Rita" Hess, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He was born May 11, 1923 (Mother's Day), in Gettysburg, son of the late Ervin and Lillian (Eckert) Hess. His elementary school years were at the one room Boyds School, and he later graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1941. Before graduating he worked with his father making wooden souvenirs for several of Gettysburg's Museums and was also employed at G.C. Murphy's in Gettysburg. During this time he enjoyed fishing and hunting for arrowheads and was very proud of his framed arrowhead collection. After graduating from Gettysburg High School he attended welding school in York before enlisting in The U.S. Army in 1942 during World War II as a tank gunner in the 2nd Armored Division. He received his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and was stationed during his two 1/2 years in Tunisia, Algeria, Sicily, England, France, and Germany. His military service included time as a military policeman and switchboard operator. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, German Occupation Medal, Belgium Fourragere, and WWII Victory Medal. After returning home from the war he worked as an assistant store manager for Joe the Motorist and later at the U.S. Army Depot, going from Stock Control Recorder to an Arc Welder. His experience in welding led him to Allis Chalmers in York, where he was employed for 26 years until his retirement in 1983. In his retirement years he refinished and repaired furniture for neighbors, family, friends, and churches. Between projects he showed his craftsmanship as he took delight in making birdhouses and lawn ornaments. He also enjoyed gardening and fishing and taking bus trips with his wife. They often shared their garden vegetables and would take bouquets of flowers to nursing homes. In 1986 Harold wrote and published the book, "Between Heaven and Sheol" and later wrote "My Military Years". Harold was a former member of Benders Lutheran Church, where he taught the Youth Sunday School Class and later an Adult Class for 30 years. He served on Church Council for several years, as a Church Deacon, Council Secretary, Church Building Fund Secretary, and was on the Pastoral Call Committee. Along with his wife, they joined Trinity United Church of Christ in Biglerville in 1990 . He was a member of Gettysburg Commandery No. 79 of the Masonic Lodge and Good Samaritan Lodge Chapter #336. Surviving and cherishing the memory of Harold are his son, Gregory Hess and his wife, Kathy of Gettysburg, and his daughter, Cheryl Potter and her husband, Carl Alan, with whom he resided the past few years. He is survived by four grandsons, Philip Potter and his wife, Jessica, Austin, Brett, and Jonathan Potter; great-granddaughters, Hannah, Ariel, and Alexis Potter; five stepgrandchildren; and nine step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Norma Hess; brother-in-law, Willard Weaver; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Kenneth and Laburne Hess; and a sister; Viola Adair. Harold lived his life "Serving God by Serving Others" and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and neighbors. A funeral service to celebrate Harold's life will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ, 300 E. York St., Biglerville, with his pastor, the Rev. George Heberling, officiating. A viewing will be held on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg and on Tuesday at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment with Masonic Rites and full military honors will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Gettysburg. Memorials in Harold's memory can be made to Trinity United Church of Christ; or Aseracare Hospice, 44 Bowman Road, York, PA 17408. Online condolences can be made at monahanfh.com