Joanna M. Lester, 86, of Metamora died at 5:18 p.m. Jan. 13, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.Joanna M. Lester, 86, of Metamora died at 5:18 p.m. Jan. 13, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
She was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Astoria, a daughter of Harold and Roxie Trimmer Sales. She married Hershel P. Lester on Feb. 8, 1944, in Chicago. He survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Dennis (and Shelly) Lester of Elmwood and Lon R. (and Dawn) Lester of Williamsfield; three daughters, Claudia (and David) Hughes of Washington, Rebecca (and Stephen) Audrain of Reno, Nev., and Gail Reynolds of Peoria; three brothers, Harold (and Roliene) Sales of Eureka, Van Sales of Peoria and Roger (and Nancy) Sales of Eureka; one sister, Barbara Bennett of Bartonville; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Vernon and Steve; and one sister, Joyce.
She had worked at General Electric in Bloomington in assembly for three years. She then worked at County Market at Field Shopping Center in Morton.
She and her husband resided in Laguna Beach, Calif., for six years acting as estate-managers for an 11-acre property. Her main responsibility was preparing gourmet meals for estate guests.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Bethany Baptist Church in Edwards with Pastor Joel Smith officiating. Visitation will be held from 9-9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 N. Heinz Lane, Edwards, IL 61528.
Condolences may be sent to www.knappjohnson.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus