DONALD L. AND PATRICIA BESS

GORHAM, Ill. -- Donald L. and Patricia Bess of Gorham died in an automobile accident Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, on Highway 32 near Ste. Genevieve, Mo.

Donald, 54, was born June 17, 1939, in El Paso, Texas, son of Donald Leeman and Arlene Harbin Bess Sr.

Mrs. Bess was born Sept. 10, 1943, at Lilbourn, Mo., daughter of Brown and Edith Coffee Middleton.

They were married May 17, 1962.

Bess was a partner with his brother in Bess Farms. He was a member of Jackson County Farm Bureau, and served on the Board of Directors of Magna Bank in Murphysboro. He was a veteran of Missouri Army National Guard.

Mrs. Bess was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob.

Both are survived by a son, Richard Bess of Gorham; two daughters, Jamie Taylor of Murphysboro, Rebecca Bess of Gorham; and two granddaughters.

Bess is also survived by a brother, Thomas Bess of Ava.

Mrs. Bess is also survived by her mother; a sister, Charlotte Taylor of Bloomfield, Mo.; four brothers, J.R., Barry and Brad Middleton, all of Advance, Mo., and Gary Middleton of Scott City, Mo..

They were preceded in death by his parents and her father.

Friends may call at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro from 5-9 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church in Neunert. The Rev. Thomas Fast will officiate, with burial in Bloomfield Cemetery.