Jacob C. Hess, life-long resident of the Pettisville and Wauseon communities, died on June 24 following a brief illness. Jake was born on March 31, 1914, shortly after members of his family immigrated with other Volga Germans to Fulton County, Ohio, from Denhoff, Russia. He was the son of Philipp and Elizabeth Hess. He graduated from Pettisville High School in 1933. On December 19, 1936 Jake married Pearl Merillat and they shared 66 years of marriage. Jake and Pearl were the parents of Allan of Toledo, Jayne (Dennis) Morse of Toledo, and John of Alice Springs, Australia. Jake and Pearl operated Hess Hatchery in Wauseon from 1939 until 1979. Jake then became co-owner of J & B Feed Company until his retirement in 1986.

For over 60 years Jake was a member of Evangelical Mennonite (now Crossroads) Church in Wauseon. He served the church as a deacon, a trustee, and on many standing committees over the years. He was a Wauseon school board member for twelve years and also was on the Fulton County Extension Advisory Committee for many years. In retirement, he served as a volunteer for eighteen years with Wauseon F.I.S.H. His community service with F.I.S.H. lead to his 1990 induction to the Northwest Ohio Hall of Honor by the Area Office of Aging. The services provided to area farmers by Hess Hatchery and J & B Feeds resulted in his induction to the Fulton County Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jake was preceded in death by his wife Pearl, brother Harmon, and sister Elizabeth. In addition to his three children, he is survived by his brother Paul (Phyllis), sister Lucille, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon from 4:00-8:00PM, Tuesday, June 29. Family graveside services will be in Wauseon Union Cemetery at 10:00AM, Wednesday, June 30. A memorial service to celebrate Jake's life will be held at Crossroads Church, Wauseon, at 11:00AM, Wednesday, June 30.

Memorials may be sent to Wauseon F.I.S.H. or Crossroads Church.