Martin R. Hess

ELIZABETHTOWN Martin R. 'Bill' Hess, 83, formerly of Delta, died on Wednes day, January 2, 2008, at The Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. He was the husband of the late Mary Charlotte (Boyd) Hess, and the late Elizabeth M. Van Hart-Hess. Mr. Hess was born on July 28, 1924, in Delta, to the late H. Lyle and Mary Elizabeth (Thompson) Hess. He graduated from the former Lower Chanceford High School. He was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Navy on the LST 1141. He attended York College where he received his pilot license. In 1947, he and his cousin, the late Mervin Thompson, rebuilt an aircraft that he flew for several years. Bill worked as a rural mail carrier and as a guard for PECO. He was a member of Slateville Presbyterian Church, a 60 year member of the Friendship Lodge 663 F&AM of Fawn Grove and a 38 year member of the Mason-Dixon Lions Club. He was a beekeeper, a water dowser, and an avid gardener. He moved to The Masonic Village in Elizabethtown in 2003. He is survived by a daughter, Marilyn H. Hushon and her husband, Richard, along with their four children, Ryan, Mary Allyson, Hope, and Claire Hushon; and a brother, Robert D. Hess and his wife, Doris of Delta. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald R. Hess, who passed away on March 19, 1999. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2008, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Harkins Funeral Home, 600 Main St., Delta, with a Masonic Service presented by the Friendship Lodge at 5:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Slateville Presbyterian Church, 308 Slateville Road, Delta, with interment in the adjoining church cemetery. Graveside military honors will be presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Slateville Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 657, Delta, PA 17314; or to the Mason-Dixon Lions Club, c/o Sylvia Sanzone, P.O. Box 158, Delta, PA 17314. For directions or to send condolences, please visit www.harkinsfuneralhome.com