Philip Jess, 85, of St. Ignace, was a U.S. Navy veteran who went on to a career in law enforcement. Mr. Jess died early Thursday morning, October 8, 2009, at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care.

He was born January 24, 1924, in Josephine, Oregon.

Mr. Jess spent eight years in the United States Navy. He worked as a Federal Bureau of Investigations agent in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also had worked for a sheriff’s department in Oregon.

He married Helen Carlberg August 27, 1982, in St. Ignace.

He is survived by his wife; two stepsons and their families, Dale and Dawn Nelson, and Leonard and Rochelle Nelson, all of St. Ignace; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Services were Saturday, October 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church with Father Pawel Mecwel officiating. Burial was in St. Ignatius Cemetery.

Dodson Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.