Stanley Hess

Stanley Hess, 86, of Edwardsburg MI (Formerly of Elkhart IN) passed away peacefully on Monday, March 14th, 2023, at his home.

Stanley was born on December 4th, 1936, and on September 17th, 1966, he married Sharon (Zimmerman) Hess in Elkhart, IN.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, and his parents Irving A. and Ruth I. (Schacht) Hess.

Stan and Sharon are so blessed and filled with gratitude for the loving care and support of special care givers Jeri Lynn and Carrie.

Stan graduated from Elkhart High School, and Western Michigan University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Stan was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. After graduating, Stan founded Hess Financial Services, a public accounting company. He operated Hess Financial Services for over 40 years.

Stan was very active outdoors. He was a lifelong sailor on Eagle Lake, and a wildfowl hunter. He especially enjoyed his pheasant hunts with friends, training his dogs and horses. Stan also enjoyed his Shire horses. For many years, Stan and Sharon took their Shire horses to area competitions. Two of his Shires, Prince and Paragon became celebrities at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Draft Horse Barn, where they pulled the Queen’s court in the annual 4-H fair parade.

Stan’s special place was Silver Bell Farm, a small tree farm, that they converted into a horse farm with stable, pastures and riding trails. They enjoyed riding their beloved Tennessee Walker horses and driving their Shires around the farm and on the area roads. As a hunter, fisher and conservationist, Stan worked for many years to reestablish quail and pheasant to the area by releasing hundreds of birds on his farm and creating friendly habitats for them.

Stan and Sharon were always avid animal lovers raising nine horses, (April, Silverheels, Sunshine, Summer, Maggie, Ike, Stash, Prince, and Paragon), and nice dogs (Lady, Lorrie, Casey 1, Duke, Doc, Annie, Katie, Casey 2, and Tug). He also enjoyed their beautiful Silver Bell Farm, and their time at Eagle Lake.

A joint Celebration of Life service will be held for Stanley and Sharon on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held from noon until the hour of the service at 2:00 pm.  Mr. Marvin Selge will officiate.

Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is entrusted with his care.

Memorial contributions in memory of Stan may be made to Cass County Animal Shelter, 323 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031.

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