Gerard Hess

Gerard William "Jerry" Hess, age 73 of Marine, IL, died Monday, September 1, 2025, at his home in Marine, IL.

He was born on Saturday, January 26, 1952, in Highland, IL, the son of Vincent and Mary (nee Fischer) Hess.

On Saturday, May 6, 1972, he married Marie Hess (nee Wildhaber) at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Marine, IL, who survives.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

Jerry was born in Highland, IL and grew up in Marine. He attended St. Paul Catholic School and then graduated in 1970 from Triad High School. Jerry worked on the family farm - feeding and milking the cows. He loved working on the farm. For 14 years he worked at CCK in Collinsville making countertops from 1990s to the early 2000s. Jerry enjoyed collecting pocket knives, hats and boots. He was always looking for “a good place to eat”. Jerry loved playing cards, especially Canasta. He and his wife, Marie, played every day. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting and watching westerns. He loved spending time with his grandkids and spoiling them. He was the “happiest on a tractor.”

Survivors include:

• Wife - Marie Hess, Marine, IL
• Son - Cory M. (Sheryl) Hess, Alhambra, IL
• Daughter - Sasha M. (David) Keiser, Marine, IL
• Grandchild - Olivia M. Keiser, Marine, IL
• Grandchild - Kyle M. Hess, Alhambra, IL
• Brother - Vincent P. (Carol) Hess, Jr., Alhambra, IL
• Sister - Mary E. (Stephen) Haarmann, Edwardsville, IL
• Sister - Catherine A. "Kay" (Mark) Wingate, Woodstock, IL
• Sister-In-Law - Sylvia E. Kauhl, Highland, IL
• Brother-In-Law & Sister-In-Law - Ron & Cheryl Wildhaber, Marine, IL

He was preceded in death by:

• Father - Vincent Paul Hess, died 2/13/2000
• Mother - Mary Margaret "Marge" Hess (nee Fischer), died 1/7/2016
• Brother-In-Law - Vincent J. Kauhl

Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marine, IL, with Father John Beveridge, officiating.

Interment will be at St. Elizabeth Catholic Cemetery in Marine, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Masses or St. Elizabeth Catholic Church (to be used for the church electrical project).