March 29, 2024

Dean Kester

Lenox

Dean H. Kester, 95, died peacefully Feb. 26, 2017, at Vintage Park in Lenox.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 701 Seventh St., in Corning with Pastor Tony Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Methodist Grove Cemetery in rural Adams County. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and Corning American Legion OURCQ Post No. 117. Open visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Stringtown Church or HCI Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Dean Harding Kester, son of Agnes (Kilgore) and Ernest Kester, was born Dec. 28, 1921, on the family farm by Bridgewater. He grew up attending country school until eighth grade, along with his siblings.

Dean entered CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) at the age of 16 as a caterpillar operator building terraces for soil erosion. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he spent six years. He served every day of WWII. He was a 1st Class gunner’s mate in charge of all artillery, ammunition and depth charges. Dean served on the Battleship USS Idaho, the Cruiser USS Fargo and Sub Chaser 1048 while traveling along the Southwest Pacific, North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Dean was honored to be chosen as an honorary guard for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s funeral. As a veteran, he traveled to Washington, D.C., on the Honor Flight, and was recently recognized by Senator Joni Ernst and presented his WWII medals during a special ceremony.

On Feb. 1, 1945, Dean married his soulmate Leona Stalder. They started their life together as a military couple, and then came home to farm in Adams County. Born to bless their lives were two sons, Ed and Larry. Dean and Leona raised crops, hay, chickens, cattle and pigs. He sold O’s Gold seed corn and square bales as a side income.

Dean’s life revolved around his farm life, family and church. He served on the ACSC and Co-op board, as well as many years on the Stringtown Church board. Dean and Leona enjoyed the harvest from their garden, camping, fishing, traveling to listen to country music, playing cards and countless hours of Rummikub. They were lifetime members of the Stringtown Community Church. In September 2014, they were recognized and honored for their dedication, service and leadership to God and the church family.

Dean’s family was his pride and joy. He loved to take his sons and grandsons hunting and fishing. Being a grandpa was top priority. He spent countless hours telling stories and teaching life lessons. He kept busy with his hands building birdhouses and doing carpenter work around the farm. The legacy Dean leaves is the commitment, devotion, care and love that he shared with Leona for 72 years, as well as to his country, his family and his faith.

Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Ed (Jan) and Larry (Denise) Kester; six grandchildren, Bret, Brennan and Curtis (Erin) Kester, Kami (Sam) DeAlejandro, Rod Kester and Darcy (Brad) Matheny; seven great-grandchildren, Ryan and Zach Kester, Seth, Ethan and Daxton DeAlejandro, and Evelyn and Nora Kester; one great-great-grandchild JoLee DeAlejandro; brother and sister-in-law, Bill (Dixie) Stalder and Nita Kester; several nieces and nephews; other special friends and the caring staff and residents at Vintage Park and HCI Hospice.

Welcoming him into heaven is the love of his life, Leona; his parents, Ernest and Agnes Kester; two sisters, Violet and Fern and three brothers, Glen, Ronald and Ralph.