Mary "Joan" (Kellerman) Hess, 83, of Burlington, passed away peacefully Friday, April 24, 2020, at her home.  Joan was born June 13, 1936, in Westphalia, Kansas, to Ed and Mary Belle (Hilligas) Kellerman.  She was born seventh of fourteen children.  Growing up, she attended country schools in Anderson County playing on the basketball and softball teams.  She graduated from Welda High School in 1953.  Upon graduation, she moved to Kansas City where she worked at various restaurants, the Kroger's warehouse and mailroom.

On April 12, 1958, she married Earl Allen Cole in Miami, OK.  They became parents of three children, Maverick, Wyatt and Kathy.  Earl passed away on August 26, 1983.  On April 21, 1985, she married Floyd A. Hess, Sr. in Burlington, KS.  They made their home east of Burlington until Floyd passed away on January 14, 2013.

Joan loved watching sports, especially the KU Jayhawks, KC Royals and the KC Chiefs.  She also loved to garden and fish.  Joan was always a hard worker.  During her lifetime, she owned and managed several businesses including Cole's Tree Service, Cole's Body Shop, Cole's Janitorial Services, Inc., and Hess Discount Store.  She delivered the Topeka Capital Journal for 28 years and was a courier for local banks and Wolf Creek for nearly 15 years.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, three brothers, Carl Kellerman, Lawrence Kellerman, and Bill Kellerman, three sisters, Dorothy Kellerman, Eileen Canfield and Thelma Hoefler, three brother-in-laws, Vincent Hoefler, Dick Parker and Loren Railsback, three sister-in-laws, Harriett Kellerman, Virginia Kellerman, and Juanita Kellerman, three nieces, Shirley Foster, Sharon Jenkins and Jolene Burnett, a nephew, Michael Kellerman, and a great-grandson, Tristen Metzger.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Victor) Burr, Burlington, KS, two sons, Wyatt (Millie) Cole, Burlington, KS, Maverick (Denise) Cole, Independence, KS, step-daughter, Julie (Mike) Young, Gardner, KS, two step-sons, Vernon Hess, Burlington, KS, and Floyd (Rhonda) Hess, Jr., Archie, MO, three sisters, Ina Railsback, Houston, TX, Edna (David) Donovan, Iola, KS, and Jean Parker, Lebo, KS, four brothers, Fred Kellerman, Garnett, KS, George (Donna) Kellerman, Garnett, KS, Milo (Janice) Kellerman, Iola, KS, Donald Kellerman, Emporia, KS, 41 grandkids, 59 great-grandkids, two great-great grandkids, many other relatives and friends.

Family graveside services will be held at Glendale Cemetery northeast of Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Coffey County Cancer Support Group or Hand-in-Hand Hospice and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.