Tim M. Hess

1958 - 2025

Timothy Michael Hess- 67 of Reed Point, MT passed away peacefully at his home on August 18, 2025.

Tim was born on May 29, 1958 to Peggy (Strouf) and Lloyd Hess at Wheatland Memorial Hospital in Harlowton, MT.

Tim graduated from Harlowton High School in 1976. He worked for the county road department and attended Vo-Tech in Missoula. He joined the United States Navy and signed up for an extra year just so that he could join the Seabees- a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion. After basic training in California he was assigned to NMCB 133 based in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Tim worked as a heavy equipment operator and was a master blaster during his time in the service. After his active duty, Tim returned to Montana and enlisted in the reserves in Billings. In 1984 he earned a position with the United States Postal Service. He carried mail in Billings and Great Falls. He transferred to Livingston as an assistant Postmaster. He was then selected as the Postmaster of the Reed Point office where he retired after 30 years of service. After retirement Tim worked for Central Excavating in Reed Point returning to running equipment, a job that he truly enjoyed. Tim loved hunting, fishing, camping and exploring the Little Belt Mountains, he spent many years of his life in the Belts from when he was in the boy scouts up until last summer. Tim was always willing to help anyone when they needed it, but never wanted to ask for help when he needed it. He was always there for his family, supporting them and giving them sound advice on life lessons. He was a voice of reason in good times and bad. Whenever he set his mind to do something, he would always find a way to accomplish what he wanted.

Tim married Sue Kraeplin and to this union his daughter Brandy Sue was born. The couple later divorced.

On January 15, 1999 Tim married Tricia and gained two sons- Brian and Austin Purdum. They were married for 26 years at the time of his passing.

Tim is survived by his wife Tricia, daughter Brandy (Matt Buster) Forney of Columbus, Brian (Britnee) Purdum of Reed Point, Austin (Jessica) Purdum of Springdale, his mother Peggy Hess of Great Falls and step-mother Bette Hess of Sheridan WY. Grandchildren Karma, Brookelynn, Willow, Wrenley, Ridge and Kouvr. He is also survived by Doreen (Dave) Saunders, Loren(Michelle) Eder, Rick (Lila) White, Mike Erfle, Diane Jones and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his father Lloyd Hess, brothers Dave and Casey Hess, father and mother in-law Adelbert & Margaret Eder, sister-in-law Cynthia Erfle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tim's honor to the Reed Point Evangelical Church Outreach Program or to a school lunch program to pay off lunch account balances for students. These were two items that Tim felt really could make a difference for people and that he had donated to himself.

Services will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Columbus Evangelical Church, lunch will be served following the graveside services.