John “Jack” D, Hess, Sr, 85 years old, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at his home in Newport, PA. He was born October 1, 1938, to the late Willis and Ruth Hess (Lancaster County, PA). He married Joyce (Trout) Hess of Newport, PA.
In his youth, he enjoyed playing basketball with the church team and baseball with family and friends. Early on, he worked in new home building construction in Millersville, PA. Upon marriage, he moved to Newport, and he and Joyce bought a dairy farm and enjoyed farming together.
Agriculture, hunting, and carpentry projects were passions he enjoyed throughout his life. He was an avid member of the Perry County Fair board for 33 years (1990 to 2023). A yearly highlight was the Perry County Fair. You could find him at the antique tractor tent or around the fairground catching up, directing volunteers, cleaning up, and helping ensure the fair experiences were the best for everyone. In 2010, he received the Perry County Fair Ambassador volunteer award, which recognized him for selfless efforts and dedication to the community and his commitment to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry (from PA’s Department of Agriculture Secretary).
Jack touched many people’s lives and hearts. He loved being on the farm, and spending time with his family and friends. You are “Wonderful, Kind, and Good” was a phrase he would often say, along with “See you at the fair!” He was a Juniata Township supervisor earlier in his career, a member of the Incarnation United Church of Christ (Newport), and the Mountainside Hunting Camp (Mainesburg, PA). Serving the community and the public is a key trait he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all for the lives he touched so deeply.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Hess, of Newport, PA, his brother, Kenneth Hess, of Columbia, PA, and 3 children: John Hess, Jr. (Nancy) of Newport, PA, Crist Hess (Sharon) of Newport, PA, and Juanita Warner (Allen), of Titusville, PA. He was the proud grandpa of 5 grandchildren: Samantha Hess (Tyler), Aaron “Jake” Hess, Dillon Hess, Alyssa “Ara” Warner, Corwin Warner, and extended family He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Willis Hess, Jr., Gerald Hess, Donald “Butch” Hess, and Leora “Toots” Hess.

A viewing will be held Monday, August 19, 2024, at the David Myers Funeral Home in Newport from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Graveside services and burial will be at 12:15pm at the
Wila Cemetery (Creek Rd, Newport, PA). Light refreshments will immediately follow at the Newport Fire House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Perry County Fair, PO Box 251, Newport, PA 17074 or Incarnation United Church of Christ, PO Box 68, Newport, PA
17074.