Burton J. Hess

Burton J. Hess, 70, of Seneca, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Lightways Hospice in Joliet.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 15, from 4:00 until 7:00pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Seneca. Mass of Christian burial will be on Friday, June 16, at 11:00am, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with Fr. Bowan Schmitt officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Morris

Burt was born April 16, 1953, in Ottawa, IL, to Burton O. and Mary (Flaherty) Hess. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Rosencrans, on July 14, 1973 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Seneca.

Burt graduated from Seneca High School in 1971. After school, he started as a welder at Caterpillar and after a 42 year career, retired as a group manager. He enjoyed taking nature walks, gardening, cooking food for his family to enjoy, and attending all of his grandchildren's games and recitals. He was  extremely handy, he built barn toy houses for his grandsons and doll houses for his granddaughters. He was also very mechanically inclined, he restored and loved his 1966 Ford Falcon. When he wasn't working, he could be found enjoying a classic Western or going on a trip. The family took many trips to the Lake of the Ozarks, Punta Cana, and their last family vacation to South Dakota. He was a member of the Seneca Grade School board for 13 years.

Burt valued family above all else. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, and brother in law. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by the love of his life, Sharon Hess; his children, Anne (Joseph) Coglianese, Burton Gregory (Katie) Hess, Ryan (Jenny) Hess, and Jacob (Sarah) Hess; his grandchildren, Nicholas Coglianese, Burton Hess, Isabelle Hess, Blake Hougas, Tanner Coglianese, Jade Hougas, Piper Coglianese, Evelyn Hess, and Hunter Hess. Also surviving are his sister, Donna (Dick) Virgo; his sisters and brothers in law, Phylis Hess, Lisa (Shawn) Passwater, Cindy (Kim) Dupler, Mary Rosencrans, Beth Rosencrans, Jeff (Beth) Rosencrans and Brad (Mary) Rosencrans; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, Burton O. and Mary Hess; his brother, John Hess; his brother in law, Greg Rosencrans; his nephew, Richard Virgo Jr.; and his great nephew, Dylan Hess.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, John Hess, Aaron Hess, Jeff Virgo, Jeff Wignes, Matt Johnson, Brent Johnson, Josh Passwater, Trent Passwater, John Rosencrans, Greg Rosencrans, and Erik Rosencrans.

Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Eichelberger, George McGeorge, and Bill Chapman.

Memorials may be directed to Lightways Hospice or the American Cancer Society.