Charles “Charlie” Ira Hess, 93, a lifelong resident of Shingletown and beloved husband of the late Catherine Baney Hess, died Monday, October 7, 2024, surrounded by his family and dear friends.
Born May 1, 1931 to the late Edgar and Mary Kathryn (Thompson) Hess, Charlie grew up on the family farm where he learned the value of honest hard work and developed a love for the outdoors that stayed with him the rest of his life and ultimately became his livelihood.
He graduated from State College High School in 1949, returning to work on the farm after graduation. He enjoyed playing soccer and baseball when he was young and took annual bass fishing trips to Canada with family and friends.
Charlie joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country from 1955 to 1957 as a member of the 3rd Armored Division stationed in Germany.
He married Catherine Baney on October 22, 1955, the beginning of long and happy 68-year marriage until her passing on June 11, 2023. Charlie and Catherine raised two daughters Kathy Jo and Beth Ann on the farm. Charlie continued to farm, raising beef cattle and growing feed crops. In 1999, Charlie built a home across from the family homestead where he was born and lived out the rest of his life there.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Charlie supported his family with occupations that were always closely connected to farming and the outdoors. As a young man he worked for Eastern States, which became Agway. He then had a long career as a maintenance supervisor for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, retiring in 1991. He also worked several years as a part-time Pa. Game Commission Officer.
Retirement years for Charlie and Catherine were busy years. They enjoyed traveling and took several memorable trips across the U.S. and Canada. They drove all the way to Alaska in their pickup truck and visited good friends who had a sprawling ranch in British Columbia. And their 50th wedding anniversary gift from their children was a wonderful vacation cruise to Nova Scotia.
Charlie was a member of the Harris Township Rod & Gun Club, the Buck Harbor Rod & Gun Club, the Boalsburg Cemetery Association and was a lifelong member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg.
He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Jo Raczka and her husband, David, of Higganum, CT and Beth Ann Hess and her partner, Elaine Perry of Stonington, CT; his grandson David Charles Raczka and fiancée Karisa Lavasseur; and a great-granddaughter, Isla Katherine Raczka. He is also survived by his sisters, Betsy Barto and her husband, Merle, of Port Matilda and Virginia Brobst of San Jose, CA. and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Charlie was predeceased by brother Bill Hess and sister Marie Whitacre.
The family wishes to thank the nurses, staff and volunteers of UMPC Family Hospice and the nurses and staff of Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Calling hours will be held Monday, Oct. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 St. Atherton Street, State College, PA, 16801.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 105 Old Boalsburg Road, Boalsburg, PA, 16827, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Burial be in the Boalsburg Cemetery following his service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charlie’s memory may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Boalsburg Pa.
Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.