Lester Darrell Hess, 81, Emporia, died on June 19, 2019, at the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City.

Lester was born on April 13, 1938, on a farm near Waverly, to Roy and Frances Robb Hess.

Lester grew up in Waverly and graduated from Waverly High School in 1956. He went to the Stevenson Auto Repair School in Kansas City. He then worked and lived in Ottawa for about a year.

On June 1, 1958, he married Molly Leota Phillips, at the Bethany Church of Christ near Waverly.

Lester was a member of the Church of Christ in Emporia where he had been a deacon and song leader. He served in the National Guard in Emporia for 8 years.

After marrying Molly, they moved to Emporia in 1959. Lester worked for  Thomson Brake and Alignment. In 1987, he bought the shop and ran it for 13 years. He loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Roy, Jr., Jay, Donnie, and Ivil Hess.

He leaves behind his wife, Molly, of the home, a son, Monte (Sherri) Hess, Johnston, Iowa, a daughter, Heidi Turner, Emporia, six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren, one step great grandchild, other relatives and friends.

Graveside Services will be Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 10:30 A.M., at the Waverly Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., at the Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Contributions can be made to either the Church of Christ, Emporia or the Tallgrass Christian Camp, and may be sent to Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.