Dannie Franklin Hess, 81, of Buford, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010 at Clermont Mercy Hospital. He was born May 5, 1928 in Highland County, the son of John and Bessie Vance Hess.

He was a 1946 graduate of Buford High School. He was baptized at a young age at Buford Church of Christ and became a lifelong member of the Union Church of Christ. He sang for more than 15 years with the Calvary Four Quartet. After schooling at Reppert School of Auctioneering, he began his own business, Dannie Hess and Associates Auctioneering, which has been serving people in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky for more than 56 years.

Mr. Hess was inducted into the Highland County Fair Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Ohio Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 2008.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Margene List Ledford, Kathryn Sonner, Beatrice Ludwick; one niece and one nephew.

He is survived by his wife, Lela Mae Hess; one son, Glenn (Joyce) Hess; two grandchildren, Brad (Kim) Hess and Jana (Jon) Holbrook; two great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, family members and friends and neighbors.

Funeral services were held Jan. 6, 2010 at Union Church of Christ in Hillsboro.

Interment at Buford Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Union Church of Christ Missions Fund or Memorial Fund.

Edgington Funeral Home in Hillsboro served the family.