Merlin W. “Sonny” “Hessy” Hess, 83, of Clearfield died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at the DuBois Village.
Mr. Hess was born June 25, 1934 in Clearfield, the son of Merlin A. and Adeline (Hensel) Hess.
Merlin retired with the rank of staff sergeant from the U.S. Air Force as an air aviation technician in 1975, serving during the Vietnam era.
He had been employed by the Clearfield Dairy. He also served and retired as a correctional officer for Clearfield County.
He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Clearfield.
Mr. Hess was honored with a citation from the House of Representatives not only for his military service, beginning in 1954 to his country with honor and distinction, but also to the many veterans in his community with his continued generosity donating his time and energies to organizations.
He also volunteered faithfully his services beginning in 1980 as commander of the Military Honor Guard for the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 and the Clearfield Veterans of Foreign Wars F. Michael Sicks Post No. 1785.
He was a life member of the Clearfield American Legion, the Clearfield Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 812, the Clearfield Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 540 and the Clearfield Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by five sisters, Gladys Kline and her husband, Robert of Grampian, Carol Robbins and her husband, Robert and Marcia Root and her husband, Clarence, all of Clearfield, Joyce Whaling of DuBois and Ellen Russell of Red Lion, five nieces, nine nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hess was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Maria E. (Augsburger) Hess, to whom he was married July 24, 1964 in Enschede, Holland and who died Aug. 22, 2017 and a sister, Elizabeth Potter.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield with the Rev. Robert Way officiating.
Burial will be in Crown Crest Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 and Veterans of Foreign Wars F. Michael Sicks Post No. 1785 Honor Guard.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and again from 10 a.m. until the hour of services Wednesday.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Clearfield VFW Scholarship Fund, 309 N. Third St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
To send online tributes, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.