LEON HESS Obituary

LEON JOHN "LEE" HESS, 91, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at Kingston Health Care Center, Fort Wayne. Born June 7, 1923, in Auburn, Ind., he was the son of Louis and Theresa (Haite) Hess. Lee proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in the 101st Airborne as a paratrooper instructor and received his Bachelors degree in education from Michigan State University. Lee spent 39 years with Dana Corporation. Among his achievements were building facilities in the U.S. and overseas. He served as Plant Manager in Chelsea, Mich., Edgerton, Wis., and General Manager for their Victor Division. He retired as President and General Manager of Dana's Axle Divisions. Lee loved golf and took every advantage to play. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis J. (Penrose) Hess of Fort Wayne; sons, Johnny L. (Linda L.) Hess of Waterville, Ohio and David C. (Pamela) Hess of New River, Ariz.; stepchildren, Sandra (Steve) Ritenour and Richard (Angela) Penrose, both of Fort Wayne; and grandchildren, Matthew L. (Michelle) Hess, Richared L. Hess, Adam and Nicholas Joye, Candace and Keelia Hess, Spencer Ritenour, and Benjamin and Chloe Penrose. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Claudia Hess; second wife, Paula Hess; one sister; and three brothers. Funeral service is 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Covington Memorial Funeral Home, 8408 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, with calling from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Final resting place in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial contributions in memory of Leon may be made to the American Cancer Society.