Joseph A. (Alonzo) 'Joe' Hess, 92, Hays, died Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Via Christi Village surrounded by family.
He was born December 12, 1932, in rural Garnett, Kansas to Everett and Katherine (Setter) Hess. In 1951, he graduated from Richmond High School then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War. He attended St. Benedict’s College (n/k/a Benedictine College) in Atchison and graduated from Kansas State College (n/k/a/ Kansas State University).
On December 29, 1956, he was united in marriage to Virginia Jo Philpott at St. Benedict’s Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He commenced his career as an accountant in the oil and gas industry in Wichita, and in 1966, he and Virginia moved to Hays where he began employment at Dreiling Oil Inc. and related entities. He worked there until retiring in 2019.
Joe was a parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays since 1966, and he was a member of the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly No. 282 and St. Joseph Third Degree Council No. 1325. His community involvement was extensive, including serving as a member of the USD 489 School Board from 1975 – 1983, including two years as President of the Board, as well as a member of the St. Anthony Hospital Advisory Board and North Central Kansas Area Vocational Technical School Advisory Board. He was Chairman of St. John’s Rest Home Board for 34 years, Trustee of the Leo J. and Albina Dreiling Charitable Trust for 43 years, a President of the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association at Thomas More Prep (n/k/a TMP-Marian), and a member of the Sisters of St. Agnes Associates. Joe was recognized for his community leadership and service with awards, which included honoree in the Hall of Fame of Fort Hays Tech / North Central, 2006 Friend For All Seasons by TMP-Marian, Grand Marshals (together with his wife) of the 2006 TMP-Marian homecoming, 2010 Jean Ross Society of TMP-Marian, and St. John’s Rest Home honor for 30 years of faithful service. In addition, for many years he served as St. Nicholas at St. John’s during the Christmas holidays.
Over the years, Joe was active in basketball, track, hunting, dogs (particularly dachshunds and Brittany Spaniels), gardening, pro-life, farming, backyard chef, golf, lake life at Cedar Bluff (especially boating and fishing), woodworking, painting, and EWTN. Joe loved, as he put it, “family times” with his wife and children, “welcoming many beloved grand and great-grandchildren,” and “promoting education, Catholic churches and healthcare in the Hays community.”
Joe’s family thanks his many caregivers and clergy, who helped him tremendously with loving care in recent years.
He is survived by his wife Virginia, daughter Elaine Marie Nietling and husband Warren, son Vincent Joseph and wife Pat, 11 grandchildren, David Nietling, Adam Nietling, Matthew Hess and wife Sarah, Julie Hess, Paul Hess and wife Nekesa, Karen Hess Ringstad and husband Leif, Thomas Hess, Amy Hess Battaglia and husband David, Mary Hess, Angela Hess, and Peter Hess, 3 great-grandchildren, Malcolm Hess, Charlotte Hess, and Hudsen Ringstad, sisters-in-law Rebecca Dolin, Loretta Katigan, Ann Hess, and Shirley Hess, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers George, Francis, and Everett, sister-in-law Jody Hess, and brother-in-law Richard Dolin.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Fred Gatschet and Fr. Andy Hammeke officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Wednesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, and a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will follow at 7:00, all on Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to TMP Endowment, Comeau Catholic Campus Center, or to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village. Condolences and memories of Joe may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com