Gail Everett Hess

Gail Hess, 81, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Monday, November 25, 2019, at Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, following a brief battle with cancer.

Gail was born October 11, 1938, to Everett and Anne (Anderson) Hess in Jacksonville, Iowa. He attended a one-room school through 8th grade and graduated from Harlan High School in 1957. Gail worked as an auto mechanic before serving in the Army. He married Jerilyn McLaughlin on November 30, 1963, in Harlan, Iowa. To this union one daughter was born, Linda Kay. Gail worked in the retail division of J.I. Case until his purchase of the Shell gas station in DeWitt. He later became self-employed as a truck driver, retiring in 2004.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Jerilyn; his daughter, Linda (Scott) Bowman of Maquoketa; 4 grandchildren, Brook, Nicole, Erin (Andrew) Mitchell, and Mitchell Bowman; 2 great-grandchildren, Theodore and Eleanor Mitchell; a sister-in-law, Karen Hess; nieces and nephews.

Gail was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed following his daughter and grandchildren’s sports. He attended the first T-Ball game of his great-grandson this summer. He was an avid fan of NASCAR, the Hawkeyes, and the Cubs. He collected toy tractors for many years. Gail and his favorite daughter enjoyed toy tractor pulls, winning many trophies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Floyd and Eugene, a sister, Judith, 3 nephews and a great-nephew.

Visitation will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, on Saturday, November 30, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. until the service time of 11:00 a.m. with The Rev. Fr. Stephen Page officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.

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