Mary Lou (Schuster) Hess

MARY LOU HESS

JERSEYVILLE - Mary Lou Hess, 89, passed away at 7:05 a.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at LaBella of Alton.

She was born on August 11, 1936, in Saint Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Julius and Louise (Frintrup) Schuster.

Mary Lou grew up in the Bevo Mill neighborhood of Saint Louis and on June 25, 1955, she married the love of her life, Donald Edward Hess, Sr. Together, they began their married life in Pennsylvania, where Mary worked at a local hospital. Following the birth of their first child, she devoted herself fully to motherhood, raising her growing family with love, patience, and pride.

The couple later returned to the area, first settling in Cahokia before making their home in rural Jerseyville in 1970. Mary was the heart of her family and the quiet force behind many school and community activities. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother in both Cahokia and Brighton and volunteered regularly with school lunches at St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School in Jerseyville.

Her kindness and creativity extended far beyond her home. Mary Lou was an active member of the Red Hat Society and the Jersey County Home Extension, where she served as President of the Royal Neighbors chapter. She loved crafting, quilting, and sewing, and many will fondly remember her beautiful crochet squares still displayed during the holidays at Jersey Community High School.

Surviving are her children, Donald (Debbie) Hess, Jr. of Franklin, Indiana; James (Sharon) Hess of Shipman; Suzanne (James) Moore of Edwardsville; Thomas (Claudia) Hess of Peletier, North Carolina; Cindy Hess-Smith of Jerseyville; Richard (Cathy) Hess of DeSoto, Missouri; and Kenny Hess of Jerseyville; along with 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her siblings, Charlotte Ivy of St. Louis, Missouri; Delores Belpolsie of St. Louis, Missouri; Walter (Jackie) Schuster of Webster Groves, Missouri; and Martha (Leonard) Canovi of Kansas City, Missouri.

In addition to her parents and beloved husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters-in-law, Deborah Hess and Janice Hess; and two sons-in-law, Garry Smith and Denny Herring.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2025, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. 

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lou (Schuster) Hess, please visit our floral store.