Sunday, October 22, 2006

Lester Mayes

The last time I saw Les was at a class reunion, but I don't remember which one. Our 20th? I think he was a popular guest at many reunions.

BY OGLE COUNTY LIFE STAFF
ROCK ISLAND — Services for Lester Mayes, 85, who died Tuesday, Oct. 3, were held at the St. James Lutheran Church, Rock Island, on Friday, Oct. 6. Lester was a former teacher of industrial arts in the Mt. Morris High School from 1953 to 1965.

From the Hodgson Funeral Home site:

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hodgsonfuneralhome.com Lester was born on September 20, 1921 in Kinderhook, Illinois, the son of Orlando and Freida (Hack) Mayes. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, in the 460th Bomber Group, stationed in Italy. He married Marjorie Reed on June 17, 1948 in Cambridge, IL. Lester earned his bachelors at Western Illinois University, and his masters at the University of Illinois. He was an industrial arts teacher in the Mt. Morris, Rock Island, and then the Moline school district, retiring in 1984. Lester was a longtime member of St. James Lutheran Church, Rock Island, where he was active for many years on the church council. He belonged to the Moline Retired Teachers group. He served on the local board for the American Cancer Society and was active in their fundraising. He also worked very extensively with, and served on local and state boards of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill. For a time, he delivered Meals on Wheels. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family. Survivors (and spouses) include his wife, Marjorie, Rock Island; daughters, Ruth E. (Mark) Paunicka, Champaign, IL, and Diana L. Mayes, Bettendorf; sons, Paul A. (Ann) Mayes, Muscatine, IA, Marvin Mayes, Peoria, IL, and Larry L. (Michel) Mayes, Davenport; six grandchildren; sister, Rebecca (Marvin) Blair, Parker, CO; and brothers, Paul O. (Nancy) Mayes, Palm Court, FL, Perry D. (Joan) Mayes, Bettendorf, and Ted (Jill) Witham, Bowling Green, OH. His parents, sisters, Irma Willdrick and Nettiebeth Dalton, and brother, Daniel Mayes, preceded him in death. "

1 comment:

Norma said...

A response from another class: "Thanks so much for sharing, Norma. Les was the Industrial Arts teacher for both of our classes (1958 and 1962). Our class has a high school reunion every five years, and Les graciously came to several of them."