Lewis Edward "Eddie" Hess, Jr., 80, Harrisonville, MO, died Monday, September 3, 2007 at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Funeral services 10:00 AM Friday, September 7 at the Atkinson Chapel, Harrisonville, MO. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, MO. Friends may call 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday at the Atkinson Chapel, Harrisonville with Masonic services at 8:00 PM. Contributions may be made to the Archie Masonic Lodge No. 633, Archie, MO.

Eddie was born November 17, 1926 in Deercreek Township, Bates County, MO, the son of Lewis Edward and Alice Beatrice (Banke) Hess. He was a lifelong resident of the rural Archie, MO area. He was a 1944 graduate of Archie High School. He was a WWII veteran of the Merchant Marines. Eddie married Esther Vae Mawson on May 18, 1952.


Eddie was a farmer and a cattleman. He and his father owned and operated Hess Certified Hybrid Seed Corn for a number of years. Eddie was a member of the Archie United Methodist Church and was a past member of the Archie school board. He was an honorary FFA member. He was also a 50-year member of the Archie Masonic Lodge No. 633.


Eddie was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Esther, Harrisonville, MO; two daughters, Kathryn Cheek and husband, Raymond, Holt, MO and Dianne Hon and husband, Steve, LaTour, MO; two grandsons, William Edward Hon and Justin Christopher Cheek and one step-grandson, Jeremy Ray Cheek.


(Arrangements-Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, MO).