Christopher Jon Hesse, age 55, of O’Fallon, IL was born August 2, 1969 in Belleville, IL, to Maurice A. Hesse and Dolalene “Dolly” (nee Hertzler) Hesse. Chris died peacefully on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Chris was surrounded by the love and support of his family and amazing friends, many of whom traveled hours to support him during his illness.
Chris grew up in O’Fallon, IL, attended O’Fallon Township High School, and received his degree in Photographic Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He then opened his own photography studio, CJ Photography, in O’Fallon. After retiring from photography, he joined his brother, Scott Hesse, at Scott’s Landscaping as the Office Manager. He worked as an Office Manager there for 27 years. He outlasted the founder!
Those who knew Chris know that he lived life to the fullest despite his hemophilia diagnosis. He has life-long friendships that started in grade school and continued through his death. There are many great “Hesse” stories originating out of these friendships, including the origination of the OTHS Club “Friday Night Connoisseurs” or “The FNC.” They started “annual” campouts in high school that have continued over the past 35 years in the form of quarterly boys trips.
Chris met his wife Dawn in 1998 – she was the true love of his life. They married in 2000 and had three sons – whom he spoiled any chance he got. Campouts morphed from “boys” trips to family trips, but still resulted in lots of stories. According to Chris, being a father was the best job ever.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Mark, Steven and Matthew.
Surviving are his wife Dawn Hargrave Hesse; his sons Noah Christopher, Jacob Pierce and Jeremiah William, all of O’Fallon; brother Scott (Terri) Hesse of Englewood, FL; Dawn’s parents, Jerry and Brenda Hargrave of Elmore, AL; sisters-in-law Cindy Hargrave (John Duane) Scott of Fairhope, AL and Holly Hargrave (Jeremy) Green of Madison, AL; nieces and nephews Ryan S. (Kalehli) Hesse of Englewood, FL, Sarah (Sean) Hesse of Englewood, FL, Patrick (Casey) Hesse of Englewood, FL, Emily Green of Auburn, AL, Bailey Green of Starkville, MS and Ellery Scott of Tuscaloosa, AL.
If you would like to make a charitable donation, we ask that you support the Gateway Hemophilia Association (https://gatewayhemophilia.org/donate/). Chris’ mom, Dolly, was one of the founding members of this organization in the late 1960s to help families cope with raising sons with bleeding disorders. Share your memories and offer condolences at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4-8 pm, on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W Washington St, O’Fallon, IL.
Celebration of Life to be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10 am at Faith Lutheran Church, 520 E Hwy 50, O’Fallon, IL. Pastor Candice Wassell will officiate. Burial will follow at O’Fallon City Cemetery, O’Fallon, IL.
