Lester "June" Whitley, Jr.

Lester “June” Whitley, Jr., age 91, of Iola, Kansas, died Friday, July 17, 2009, at Allen County Hospital in Iola, KS. He was born on Saturday, July 6, 1918 in Wellsville, KS. He was the son of Lester Whitley, Sr. and Violet (Chilton) Whitley. He lived most of his life in Franklin County, living in Idaho for eight years while growing up. He has lived in Iola, Kansas since 2001. Lester graduated from Wellsville High School with the class of 1936. He worked as a superintendent for Killough Construction in Ottawa thirty-two years, from 1951 to his retirement in 1983. He served as a Tech 5 in the United States Army during World War II, from 1940 to 1945. His tour of duty included Idaho, Washington, and the Pacific Theater, where he was a combat engineer. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, charter member of Fraternal Order of Eagles, and life member of American Legion, all of Wellsville. On April 18, 1948, Lester was united in marriage with Armina Hasty in Ottawa, KS. She preceded him in death in August of 1993. On November 16, 1994, Lester was united in marriage with Dorothy Darrow in Ottawa. She survives at their home. Survivors include: Son-Joe D. Whitley & his wife, Mary Ann, of Kimberling City, MO Daughter-Penny Andrews & her husband, Mark, of Clinton, MO Stepdaughter-Marilyn Wiggins & her husband, Russell, of Lawrence, KS Stepdaughter-Lucinda Yeates & her husband, Mike, of Comfort, TX Stepdaughter-Bonita Steward & her husband, Jack, of Iola, KS Sister-Florine Bendixsen of Seattle Washington Sister-Leanor Layton of Lubock, TX Sister-Rose Marie Wood of Butler, MO; Three Grandchildren-Stacey Brown, Amy Allen, Lance Andrews; Six Gt.Grandchildren-Rachel Ann Hill, Brandon Allen, Taylor Allen, Jackson Andrews, Landon Andrews, Maddox Andrews; One Gt.Gt.Grandson-Mason Hill He was preceded in death by: Father-Lester Whitley, Sr. Mother-Violet (Chilton) Whitley First Wife-Armina (Hasty) Whitley Gt.Granddaughter-Isabella Andrews SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901 of Ottawa. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Whitley after 10:00 a.m. Monday to the service hour at the Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday prior to services. CEMETERY: Cremation will follow services with inurnment at Wellsville Cemetery, Wellsville, Kansas, at a later date. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901 of Ottawa, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Dengel & Son Mortuary Lester June Whitley, Jr. Obituary Page 2