John Jude Hesse

John Jude Hesse, 91, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, peacefully at his home in rural Meriden, KS.

He was born February 13, 1934, on the family farm near Paxico, the son of John L. And Adelaide M. Flach Hesse. John was raised in the Newbury and Paxico communities, graduated from Paxico High School, and was formerly a longtime resident of Wamego before moving to rural Jefferson County. John farmed early in life along with hauling cattle before becoming a heavy equipment operator for Central Mechanical Construction Company in Manhattan. He was a proud 52 year member of the Operating Engineers Local 101 in Kansas City, MO. John loved to garden and had a green thumb that led to sharing many vegetables thru the years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping at Mill Creek, Tuttle Creek, and Lake Perry with family and friends. He cherished the time spent with his family, friends, and the '5K Ranch' fur babies.

John was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Meriden and a past member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Wamego and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newbury.

On July 24, 1966, John married Ella Marie Songs in Alma, KS. She preceded him in death on March 25, 2009 after 42 1/2 years of marriage. John was also preceded in death by sisters, Loubelle Heiman, Margaret Zeller, Henrietta Aubert, Leola Kolde, and Martha DeWilde; and a grandson, David L. Steger, Jr.

Survivors include his daughters: Angela (Rod) Kimble, Meriden; Becky (Greg) Pingleton, MO; Judy (Tom) Noonan, KS; and Sondra (Ralph) Lewis, TN; sister, Carolyn Wurtz, Paxico; brother-in-law Tim Songs (Julie Snodgrass), Alma; sister’s-in-law: Bonnie Palenske, Wamego; and Carol Hansing, CA; close grandchildren: Amanda (Chance) Cody; Haley (Bryson) Balch; and Chloe Kimble, many grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren he loved distantly; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends with a special place in their hearts for John.

A rosary will be recited for John at 4:00 pm on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St. in St. Marys followed by a family visitation until 6:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 am on Monday, March 31 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 22298 Newbury Road in in Newbury, KS followed by burial in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions in John's memory may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 22298 Newbury Road, Newbury, KS 66526.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Newbury and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, KS 66536.