Mr. Lester O. Roberts

Mr. Lester O. Roberts, 80, of Galesburg, Illinois went to be with Jesus at 12:53 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2021 after a courageous two and a half year battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by loving family at his home. 

Les was born July 11, 1940 in Reynolds Station, Kentucky to Rev. Claude R. and Mary Kathryn Roberts.  He was born into a loving family of eight children.  He graduated from Brownstown High School in 1958.  He married Beverly M. Harris on November 24, 1961 in Baylis, Illinois, by his father.  They celebrated 59 wonderful years together and were blessed with three loving daughters.  He loved his family and loved spending time with them by taking them fishing and playing music together.  Les worked at Motorola in Quincy.   Later, he worked at Skelgas/ Ferrellgas for 28 years.  He was an avid fisherman and St. Louis Cardinal fan.  He played guitar and mandolin and sang with his brother Roger and friends in the Reynolds Station Band at the OAKS Senior Center.  He played and sang with his great friend, Jack Vest (almost brother) for 40 plus years.  Over the years, he enjoyed meeting daily with his buddies for coffee.  He attended Hope Wesleyan Church and later, the First Church of the Nazarene in Galesburg.  He was very close to his brothers and sisters and loved them dearly.  Family reunions were always a great time filled with love, laughter, and music. 

Les is survived by his loving wife, Bev and daughters: Cindy (and Jack) Bednarcik of Noblesville, Indiana, Debbie (and Tim) Shultz of Leoma, Tennessee, and Becky (and Rick) Ruhl of Abingdon, Illinois, brothers: Delmar (and Ramona) Roberts, Roger (and Carole) Roberts , Dean Roberts and sister, Jewel (and Jim) Rinne, brother-in-laws: Bob (and Martha) Harris and Don (and Rosalind) Anstedt, sister-in-laws: Sandy Roberts, Jean Roberts, awesome grandchildren: Christian (and Samantha) Shultz, Kasey (and Josiah) Damery, Kendall (and Nathaniel) Scott, Amanda (and Noah) Baker, David Shultz, Alison Ruhl, Sarah Shultz, and Ryan Bednarcik, sweet great-grandchildren: Everest, Oaklyn, and Cadence Damery, Milo and Ruby Shultz.  He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: James, Trenton, and Paul, sister-in-laws: Betty Roberts and Ginny Roberts. 

Thank you to all of our family, especially Becky, Cindy, and Debbie for their loving care to their dad.  Thanks to all our friends and family for all their love, prayers, and support during this journey.  Also, thanks to Dr. Carl Strauch and staff, plus Dr. Geoffroy and staff for their wonderful care.  A huge thank you to Bev for being such a sweet wife and best nurse, ever!

Visitation will be 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Galesburg.  Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required.  Celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the church.  Rev. Harold Berrian will officiate.  Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg.  Memorials can be made to the First Church of the Nazarene or to the OAKS Senior Center.  Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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