Idaho County Free Press

Wed. 09/03/1997.

John W. Lester, 95

  John W. Lester, 95, of Grangeville, died Friday, Aug. 29, 1997, at Syringa General Hospital of causes related to age.

  He was born Sept. 29, 1901, in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, a son of John F. and Laura Jane Ware Lester.  In 1905, the family moved to Baker City, Ore., and in 1912 they moved to Grangeville.  He worked in the woods as a high climber and fell timber on the coast and in Bend, Ore.

  He married Leola Conant on Aug. 11, 1923, at Pasco, Wash.  They lived in Kennewick, Wash., before returning to Grangeville in 1929.  He farmed near Fenn from 1929 until the time of his death.  Leola passed away in March of 1975.  He married Evelyn Tomlinson in June of 1975 and they have made their home on the family ranch since.

  He was a charter member of the Grangeville Church of the Nazarene.

  He enjoyed farming, hunting and fishing.

  He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; three daughters, Phyllis Vick of Boise, Lucille Schneider of  Twisp, Wash., and Argyle Landerville of Mission Viejo, Calif; one sister, Wilmuth Williams of Fruitland; two stepsons, Bob Tomlinson of Grangeville and Kenneth Gardner of Council; nine grandchildren, Kathy Thompson, Judy Sommerfield, Lee Baldwin, Faith Whetstone, Ruth Jasso, Debbie McCarthy, Craig Lester, Laurie Haug, and Wes Lester; 12 step-grandchildren, Sheril Hudson, Connie Holloway, Ron Tomlinson, Mike Tomlinson, Kevin Tomlinson, Sharon Churchman, Linda Tomlinson, Bill Tomlinson, Jr., Allison Gardner, Meredith Percy, and Melanie Friend; several great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  He was preceded in death by his son Ted Lester and a stepson Bill Tomlinson and seven brothers and sisters.

  Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Noland-Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.  Pastor Doug Wilson of Grangeville Church of the Nazarene will officiate.  Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery, Grangeville.

  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Grangeville Church of the Nazarene.

Submitted by Chris Cornett

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