Melvin Lester LESHER

LESHER, BUBECK, BUCHWALTER, SWEENEY, DICKERSON, ROGERS, WILL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/30/2006 at 12:18:20

Melvin Lester Lesher, 82, of Clarion, died Tuesday, September 27, 2005. Funeral services were held on Friday, September 30th at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Melvin Lester Lesher was born April 19, 1923, the son of Lawrence H. and Bernice C. (Bubeck) Lesher. He was born on his family's farm located three miles west of Clarion and attended country school in Dayton Township, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1940. He was among the signers of the original charter of the FFA, and played violin in the high school orchestra. In 1942, Mel enlisted in the Navy to pursue his love of flying. He attended Naval Air Training at Northfield, Minnesota, LeMars, Iowa City, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated from the Naval Air Training School and received his gold wings and commission as Ensign on March 27, 1945. He instructed in twin engine planes. He was separated from the service on April 19, 1946. Melvin and Lois Buchwalter were married April 4, 1945, in the Methodist Church in Iowa City. He and Lois, with the help of their children, farmed for over 40 years, retiring in 1989. Mel was a 50+ year member of the First United Methodist Church, Clarion; the Masonic Lodge; and had been a long time member of the Wright County Shriners and Shrine Mini Patrol and other Masonic affiliations. He was also a member of the American Legion. He had served as treasurer of the Lake Township Trustees, worked in the Auditor's office, and even sold encyclopedias to add to the farm income.

Surviving Mel is his wife of 60 years, Lois of Clarion; a daughter, Melanie Sweeney and husband, Gary of Des Moines; a son, David and wife, Carol of Clarion; a daughter, Rhonda Dickerson of Omaha, Nebraska; a daughter, Linda Rogers of Parkersburg; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beulah Lesher of Marion and Gertrude Will of Irwin. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Orville Lesher.

October 6, 2005
© Wright County Monitor 2005