Nellie Lester
1/12/

Nellie Lester, 85, formerly of Galesburg and Knoxville, died at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006 in Care Center of Abingdon.

She was born Feb. 9, 1920, in Bromley, Kent, England, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Arnold) Kennedy. She married Clarence Everett Lester Dec. 30, 1944. He died May 15, 1977.

She is survived by three sons, John M. (Barb) Lester, Davenport, Iowa, Daniel B (Laura) Lester, Galesburg, and Anthony “Tony’’ Lester, North Henderson; five daughters, Teresa A. “Terri’’ Schwarz, Freeport, Sharon E. (Steve) Apsey, Mary Zielke and Patricia J. (Gary) Tucker, all of Galesburg, and Geraldine K. (Tim) Harris, St. Marys, Ga.; 23 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one sister.

She graduated from Edinburgh College in England and served as a lieutenant in the Royal Air Force.

She was an officer and secretary at First Midwest Bank for many years. She worked as a secretary and officer for the Bank of Galesburg and later for the First Farmers National Bank of Knoxville.

She volunteered at OSF St. Mary Medical Center.

Cremation will be accorded

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with the Revs. Kirk Kendall and William Miller officiating.

Visitation will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the funeral home.

Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, with military honors by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.