The 82nd annual Isaac Thomas and Sarah Jane Fox Hesser Reunion was held June 14-15. Attending were descendants from nine of the original 13 children: Charlie, Wes, George, Clara, Van, Sadie, Jake, Bill and Ike.

Saturday evening, 35 members enjoyed a picnic dinner at the home of Ken and Jill Hesser Beck. The evening was spent reminiscing and renewing family ties.

Sunday morning, 38 family members gathered for a church service at the Hesser monument on Union Road. This monument lists the family members who lived in Payne County during the early 1900s and attended the Union Home Church.

Leading the service were Ival, David and Jack Hesser. Vocal music was presented by Thomas Hesser, the son of Jack Hesser, and his daughters. Karrie Hesser Woods, daughter of David Hesser, shared her plans to go on a church mission trip to Cambodia.

Fifty-nine family members registered during the Sunday buffet luncheon at Stillwater First Christian Church.

The oldest attendee was Iris Hesser, 101, widow of Roy Hesser, son of Ike Hesser. The oldest Hesser descendant attending was Mary Hesser Louthan, 97, a descendant of Wes Hesser. The oldest Hesser man attending was Jay Hesser, 89, a descendant of Ike Hesser. The youngest was Bryce Andrew Barrett, 16 months, son of Bryan Barrett, descendent of Sadie Hesser Harris.

Traveling the farthest were Larry and Teresa Bass Bittle, Corn. The family with the largest number attending was William Miller “Bill” Hesser with 18.

Attending were Ron and Janice Hesser, Poteau; Larry and Teresa Bittle, Corn; Joe Stephenson, Shawnee; Mary Louthan and Evelyn Hoemann, Thomas, Angie, Ashley, Courtney, Tiffany and Shelby Hesser, Edmond; Lee and Vickie Barrett; Bryan, Jamie and Bryce Barrett, Tulsa; Dan, Susan, Katy, Joey and Ben Sanford, Broken Arrow; Jerry and Treva Rickner, Chandler; Randy and Teri Hesser, Perry; David Hesser; David Hesser II; Zack and Dianne Hesser; Lee, Amy, Isaac and Lucas Hesser; Gary, Karrie, Rachel, Abbie and Caleb Woods; David, Amanda, Jacob, Nathaniel and Lydia Rhodes; Bob and Bertha Mae Hesser; Richard and Mary Eaton Gidre, Glencoe; Ival and Marie Hesser; Jack and Billie Hesser; Iris Hesser; Jill and Ken Beck; Robin and Typanga Patterson; Jay and Beverly Hesser; Charlena Swisher; Jim and Barbara Smith; Luella Sneary; Gloria Hesser; and Gayle and Pat Ward, Stillwater.

The family voted to meet June 13-14, 2009. Reunion committee is president Jack Hesser, vice president David Hesser, secretary/treasurer Patricia Ward, assistant secretary Linda Hesser Apman and adviser Ival Hesser.