Wayne Martin Hess, 86, Local Auctioneer, of Millmont, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on September 23, 1929 in Scotland, South Dakota, the son of the late Stover Eugene and Mary R. (Stover) Hess. On March 17, 1951, he married the former Betty Lou Boop, who survives. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Wayne graduated from Mifflinburg High School class of 1948. Following high school he enrolled at Reppert School of Auctioneering, Decatur, Indiana, becoming a licensed auctioneer.
Throughout his 67 year career he auctioned at Centre Hall and Dewart Livestock auctions, Stahl’s Auction Barn, Mifflinburg, and was well known for his auctioneering throughout the Susquehanna Valley. His son, Alan and daughter, Lori Hess-Lauver accompanied him in Hess’s Auctioneering.
Wayne was, also, engaged in farming at the same Union county farm since 1951. He was passionate about both of his professions.
He attended the Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene for over 50 years. He was a former member of Mifflinburg Young Farmers, a member of the Buffalo Valley Sportsman Club, emeritus member of High Top Hunting Club, former member of Board of Directors of Mifflinburg Farmers Exchange.
Wayne enjoyed life and people. He always had a joke or story to fit every occasion.
He enjoyed refinishing furniture, butchering, baking, hunting locally and in Colorado, fishing in Canada, and visiting family in South Dakota. Wayne was very in tune to past heritage sharing with family and friends the art of his homesteading way of life.
He especially loved singing the traditional hymns of the church. Wayne and his sister Doris sang at many local churches throughout the years.
Surviving are In addition to his wife, Betty, are one son and daughter-in-law, Pastor Alan Wayne and Pamela Hess of Jersey Shore, two daughters and one son-in-law, Lori D. and Douglas I. Lauver of Mifflinburg, Lisa D. Hess of Mifflinburg and companion Scott Kline of Swengel, seven grandchildren, Sarah wife of Caleb Myers, Anna Hess, Mary Hess, Abigail Hess, Daniel Elvin Wayne Hess, Joanna Hess, Tyler Wayne Lauver, one great granddaughter, Grace Jean Myers, one sister, Doris M. Shively of Millmont, sister-in-law, Betty Kline Hess of Swengel, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, E. James and Florence Boop of Mifflinburg, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ethel and Francis Wert, Opal and Donald Hollenbach, one brother, Ray Hess, and brother-in-law, Roger Shively.
Family and friends are invited to the viewing from 6 to 8 PM on Monday and from 9 to 10 AM on Tuesday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 12 East Market Street, Mifflinburg, where the funeral will be held at 10, with Pastor Wayne S. Krell and Pastor Alan W. Hess, officiating.
Interment will be in the Mifflinburg Cemetery.
The family will provide flowers, if desired, memorial contributions in Wayne's memory may be sent to the Mifflinburg Church of the Nazarene, 12 Market Street, Mifflinburg PA, 17844.