James Robert Hess

James Robert Hess, 85, Lancaster, passed away peacefully on Tues., Dec. 20, 2011 of natural causes. He was born in Lancaster. He was the son of the late Oliver and Verna (Forry) Hess.

He was in the 2nd graduating class (1944) of the newly formed Lancaster Mennonite High School. He also graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary (now EMU), Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 1950 he married Beatrice Hershberger of Harrisonburg. He was ordained a minister, and as a newly married couple, they left in 1951 for 19 years on the mission field to Honduras, CA under Eastern Mennonite Missions. There they raised a family of three sons and one daughter. When they returned to the States in 1970, James became pastor of East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, and later was ordained Bishop of the Lancaster City district of Mennonite Churches before his retirement in 1994. During his retirement, he was a Tabernacle lecturer and Spanish tour guide at the Mennonite Information Center, Lancaster. He was a member of Mellinger Mennonite Church, Lancaster.

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice, of 61 years; one son, J. Richard husband of Mary (Buckwalter) of Homestead, Florida; and one daughter, Liz of Lancaster. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons; Daniel, husband of Beverly (Strickler) of Florida, Gerald, husband of Linda (Dahl) of Texas, and one granddaughter, Jody, daughter of J. Richard & Mary, of Florida. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers; Oliver Jr. and Richard Hess.

A service of joy and celebration for a life well lived will be held at Mellinger Mennonite Church, 1916 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM. A viewing and family visitation will take place the evening before on Tuesday, Dec. 27 from 6-8 PM at Mellinger Mennonite. Interment will be at the Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery.

Donations in James’ memory can be made to Eastern Mennonite Missions, P.O. Box 458 Salunga, PA 17538.