Ralph Diddle Bess

Ralph Elwood "Diddle" Bess 81, of Bonne Terre passed away January 9, 2012 at St. Joe Manor. He was born November 10, 1930 in Bonne Terre. He was a 40 year member and Past Master of Samaritan Lodge #424. He loved to ride motorcycles and toured both the United States and Canada. He was one of the original members of the Gold Wing Motorcycle Road Riders Association. He was known for his excavation work. Diddle did lots of work to help others out for little or nothing. He enjoyed relaxing by his pond and fishing with his dog, Ozzie.He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Letha (Black) Bess; two sons, Ralph E. Bess, Jr. and Ernest Ray Bess; two grandchildren, Joshua Bess and Sarah Bess; three brothers, Clinton Bess, Jonathan Bess and Paul Bess; four sisters, Delma Pierce, Louise Bess, Juanita Bess and Alethia Bess.Diddle is survived by four children, Evelyn (Mrs. James) Slinkard, Gloria (Mrs. Alan) Marler, Patricia McNew, Eric Bess and fianc, Teresa Swanson; ex-wife and mother of the children, Pat Bess; daughter-in-law, Regina Bess; eight grandchildren, Sherman Von Arx, Jr., Sherri Richards, Ricki Poss, Michael Tucker, Shawn Tucker, Brandon Bess, Nathan Bess, Jonathan McNew; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Marvin Bess and wife Johanna.Visitation will be Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Bonne Terre with a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Service will be Thursday at 11:00 AM at the C. Z. Boyer & Son Chapel in Bonne Terre with Rev. Alan Berry officiating. Burial will follow at Adams Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Adams Hillcrest Cemetery Fund.