Melvin J. Hess, 16 September 1921

Melvin J. Hess of Malad, ID died of cancer on December 4, 2003 in the Oneida County Long Term Care Facility in the loving presence of his family.

Melvin was born September 16, 1921 to Joseph W. and Esther Jones Hess, the fifth of ten children. he graduated from Malad High School in 1940 where he participated in wrestling, boxing and track. He joined the Army Air Force during World War II and served three years, 1942-45 mainly in the India/Burma/China theaters, which netted him a trip completely around the world.

After completing his military experience, his first stop on the way home was to see his sweetheart, Bertha Clegg in Downey, ID. The young couple exchanged wedding vows just 20 days later, January 8, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.

He and his brother formed a construction company, Hess Bros. Construction. He built many of the businesses in Malad, including the old post office, Malad Bowling Alley, Horsley Funeral Home, Malad Valley Clinic, Forest Service Shop, Varsel’s Barber Shop, Corner Bar, Mountain Bell Telephone Co. and far too many more to name. He also built more than 70 homes in the Malad Valley. He developed and improved the Devil Creek Campground and ran it for 11 years, calling it the Mountain View Getaway. He also built a cabin and pavilion nearby which his family still enjoys to this day.

Melvin was a 57 year member of American Legion Post 65. He was a long time member of the Malad Lion’s Club, where he served for a time as president. With his expertise in construction, his service was valuable on a number of Lions Club projects, including the original swimming pool, the mMlad City Park Pavilion, and a place for the Lions Club to meet, which is now the dining room of the Dude Ranch Café.

He was an active member of the LDS Church, holding various positions throughout the years. He and Bertha served a mission during 1984-85 in the Ohio Cleveland Mission.

For the last 20 years, Melvin and Bertha spent their winters in St. George, UT. He was active in the church and community there the same as he was in Malad. In his retirement, Melvin was never idle. He loved to work in his yard and garden and spend endless hours in his wood shop at his scroll saw creating beautiful clocks and other works of art for family and friends. He made at least 50 wood carved clocks; one of these won the Sweepstakes Award at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha, of 57 years; three daughters and one son, Cheryle (Wayne) Shepherd, Wendy (Ed) Jones, Rhonda (Jared) Crowther, and Bradley J. (Wendy) Hess, all of Malad; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and one brother, Orvel J. Hess of Malad. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and seven brothers.

Funeral Service
December 8, 2003 – Malad LDS 3rd Ward Chapel
Bishop Dave Kimberling officiating

Family prayer – Bishop Marvin Hess, nephew
Prelude & Accompanist – Lorna Cornelius, great niece
Invocation – Wayne Shepherd, son-in-law
Memories – Wendy Jones, daughter and Wendy Hess, daughter-in-law
Vocal Medley – Jill Blaisdell and Sue Stevens
Speaker – Bradley J. Hess, son
Vocal by Grandsons
Remarks – Bishop Dave Kimberling
Postlude Music – Lorna Cornelius

Concluding Service at the Malad City Cemetery
Dedicatory Prayer – Bradley J. Hess, son
Military Rites by the American Legion Post #65

Floral Tribute by granddaughters & granddaughters-in-law

Casket Bearers – grandsons
Todd Jones
Jeremy Shepherd
Doug Crowther
Alex Shepherd
Brady Hess
Eric Crowther
Braxton Hess
Cody Hess

Honorary Bearers – grandsons-in-law
Martin Kelly
Charles Barnes
Brian Christenson
Andre Burio
Jed Hanks

Compassionate service by the Malad 3rd Ward Relief Society