Diane Hess

Diane (Rineer) Hess, 88, of West Lawn, passed away January 5, 2021 surrounded by her loving children in the Reading Hospital.  Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Henry G. and Mable (Gross) Rineer.  Diane was the wife of Royce Hess, together they spent 54 years of marriage before his passing May 1, 2005.  She was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Shillington.  Diane went to Hempfield High School where she was a track star and played field hockey.  She worked as a Telephone Operator for Bell Telephone before becoming a full time mother to two wonderful children.  Most recent, Diane worked at Doug’s Family Pharmacy in the Gift Department where she loved to set up the displays and talk to customers.  She was a member of the Eastern Star for over 50 years.  Diane loved to golf with her husband and would even travel to Florida during the winter to play.  She was a member of Conestoga Country Club, Berks County Women’s Golf Association, the Golf League at Willow Hollow and the Lincoln Park Swimming Association.  Diane enjoyed playing cards, watching soap operas, going on cruises with friends, and going to Wildwood, NJ every summer with her family.  Family was very important to Diane, she never missed an event that her children or grandchildren were involved in.

Diane is survived by her children, Cindy Bennethum, of Sinking Spring, and Doug Hess, husband of Lisa R. of Mohnton.  Also surviving, her grandchildren; Peter Bennethum, Matthew Bennethum, husband of Kristen, Andrew Bennethum, fiancé of Katelyn Hudock, Marli Hess, and Darby Hess, her great grandchildren, Lucas and Harper, her sister, Louise Bair, wife of Jim, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.  Diane will be laid to rest in Pleasant View Cemetery Mausoleum.  The family would like to thank the Reading Hospital Emergency, Cardiology, Trauma, SICU, Hospice Care, Pastoral Care, and Nursing staff that came in contact with their mother for their professionalism, care, and concern. Bean Funeral Homes, Shillington, is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.