Raymond L. Hess 1935-2020

Raymond was born on Easter, April 21, 1935, in Hesston, Pa., a son of Jacob Wallace and Christina Arlene McKnight Hess.

He attended Huntingdon County schools in Pennsylvania.

Raymond served in the U.S. Army from January 1955 to December 1957 and moved to Youngstown following his discharge from the Army.

He worked in the food distribution industry and was the owner of Hess Salads for 20 years and a bus driver for Crestview Local School District for 10 years, retiring in 1993.

Raymond was active in AMVETS from 1958 to present. He was a life member of AMVETS Post 44, Youngstown and a founding member of Post 45, Salem. He was also a member of the American Legion, Benjamin Firestone Post 290, Columbiana; a 50-year member of United Commercial Travelers; and a life member of the Mahoning Veterans Memorial, actively involved in the moving of the log cabin memorial to its permanent home at Canfield Fairgrounds.

He proudly served as AMVETS Ohio State Commander from 1976-1977 and state finance officer from 1979-2009. His work was recognized with several awards, most notably National AMVET of the Year and the AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, both awarded in 1989.

He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Columbiana.

An avid car enthusiast, Raymond enjoyed collecting and trading automobiles, attending car shows, and browsing through car lots whenever he had the opportunity.

He is survived by his wife, the former Frances Jean Fitzimons, whom he married on June 30, 1956; his daughter, Tamra J. Hess (Todd Lanterman); his son, Jeffrey R. Hess and his wife, Louanne; and his grandchildren, Loren A. and Joseph Leskosky and Samuel J. Hess (Sarah Kornbau).

He also leaves his beloved siblings and in-laws: Helen Hess, Betty Thompson, Dorothy Amrhein, Bernice Shoemaker, Ruby and William Shultz, David F. Hess, Terry L. Hess, Beth and Jon Mark, and Carole and Vincent Coppola, his cousin, David Grove, as well as a large, loving family and circle of friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Wallace Hess, Jr. and Donald A. Hess, and his parents-in-law, Charles V. and Frances D. Fitzimons.

Raymond deserves a memorable tribute. However, in this unknown time with the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has opted to hold a private service. The family would encourage friends to both watch the recorded service and send condolences by visiting www.familycareservices.com.

Military honors were accorded by the Benjamin Firestone Post No. 290 Honor Guard.

Raymond was laid to rest at Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield.

Memorial contributions may be made in Raymond’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 and Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 415 S. Main St., Columbiana, Ohio 44408.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.

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