Larry D. "Meathead" Hess

Larry D. "Meathead" Hess, 75, of rural Benton (Benton Township), died early Wednesday morning, May 24th, 2023 at his home.

Born January 12, 1948 at the Bloomsburg Hospital, he was a son of the late Fred J. Hess, who died March 8, 2012 and Edith  E. (Young) Hess, who died May 24, 2014.  Larry and his wife, Gloria L. (Newhart) Hess, would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on September 11th. 

Larry was a 1966 graduate of Benton High School where he was an avid wrestler.  He attended Williamsport Area Community College where he became a certified welder and went into the construction and welding field. 
Among others, he had been employed by the Interstate Motor Freight Systems and American Asphalt.

He faithfully served his country in the U. S. Army in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970 in the 101st Airborne Division / Screaming Eagles.  He was awarded the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Air Medal; two Purple Hearts; the Combat Infantryman Badge; 2 O/S Bars; the Air Medal (2nd Award); the Good Conduct Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; and multiple medals for sharp shooting.  He was a radioman, a tunnel rat and the point man for his unit; he made 125 helicopter assaults into hot landing zones and most notably served at Hamburger Hill.  

After serving in Vietnam, he was assigned to Ft. Meade, MD.  His position took him to Ft. Indiantown Gap where he taught marksmanship to men in the ROTC.  

Larry was well known to many in the Benton area as "Meathead".  He was a friend to many and would do anything to help his family or friends in need.  He cared deeply for his family and was very active in the lives of his grandchildren.

His most beloved hobby was hunting with his favorite season being "spring turkey"; he was a renowned turkey hunter.  He called in turkeys using everything from box calls to air sirens.  He enjoyed mentoring other hunters and invited others to go along for the experience, every chance he could.  Larry also enjoyed deer hunting, going to auctions and doing Sudoku. 

He was an active member of the Waller United Methodist Church.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Gloria, are two daughters:  Holly Fetterman and  her husband, Adam, of Bloomsburg; Cerissa Getz and her husband, John, of Benton;  four grandchildren:  Abigail Getz, Hannah Getz, Andrew  Fetterman and his fiancée, Sarah Pollard; and Erin Covington and her husband, Olin.  Also surviving is a great grandson, Clinch Covington; a brother, James R. Hess and his wife, Debora, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and a nephew, Aaron Hess and his wife, Kathy, of Maine.  

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother,  Gregory D. Hess in 1970; a sister, Sandra Hess, who died infancy in 1946.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 27th, 2023 at 11 A. M. at the Waller United Methodist Church with Rev. Tyler Rauhauser, his Pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in the Waller Cemetery with full military honors.
A viewing will be held Saturday from 9 AM until the time of the Service at 11, at the Church.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Waller United Methodist Church.  

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve the Hess Family.  For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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