1924
Willis
2010
Willis Eugene Lesh
July 4, 1924 — October 11, 2010
A graveside service for Willis Eugene Lesh will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 18, 2010 at Gaylord Cemetery in Gaylord, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, Tulsa, at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 19. Mr. Lesh passed away October 11, 2010 at the age of 86.
The son of Lando and Leila Williams Lesh was born July 4, 1924 in Norton County, Kansas. He attended Norton High School graduating in 1942. After graduation he continued farming in Norton County. In May of 1944 Gene enlisted in the United States Army. He served with the 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. His duties took him to Italy, through Austria, and into Germany. On June 12, 1946 he was discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as a Staff Sergeant. Upon his return home Gene began working for Southwestern Bell in Salina, Kansas, where he met Donalene Moore. They were married May 8, 1949 in Gaylord, Kansas. They made their home in Salina, later moving to Lindsborg, Olathe and finally to Wellsville, Kansas. He became a member of the Wellsville Baptist Church and was a deacon and church treasurer for many years. He retired from Southwestern Bell in 1983, after a 37 year career. In June of 2002 Gene and Dona moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. After Dona's death in December of 2007, he moved to Tulsa to be closer to his daughter, Gwen, and her family. Gene is preceded in death by his parents Lando and Leila and Donalene Moore Lesh, his wife of 58 years. He is also preceded by his brothers Ronald, Gilbert, and Edgar and his sister Myrna Lesh Mizell Davis.
Survivors include his brother Philip Lesh, his daughters, Gwen Fleske and husband David of Tulsa, and Gail Christensen and husband Michael of Newport News, VA; grandchildren, Jeannine Christensen and husband Chris Brooks of Newport News, VA, Rebecca Moschione Larkin and husband Joel of Blaine, MN, Ellen Gilbert and husband, Jason, of Williamsburg, VA, and Matthew Fleske of Tulsa; foster grandchildren, Gerald and Justin Marshall; and great-grandchildren, Arik Rhone-Christensen, Vittoria "Tori" Rhone-Christensen, Jacy Brooks, Nathaniel Gilbert, Shelby Gilbert, Alexandra Larkin and Thomas Larkin.
Memorials may be given to Grace Hospice of Tulsa and to the Will Rogers Library of Claremore for large print books.
The son of Lando and Leila Williams Lesh was born July 4, 1924 in Norton County, Kansas. He attended Norton High School graduating in 1942. After graduation he continued farming in Norton County. In May of 1944 Gene enlisted in the United States Army. He served with the 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. His duties took him to Italy, through Austria, and into Germany. On June 12, 1946 he was discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as a Staff Sergeant. Upon his return home Gene began working for Southwestern Bell in Salina, Kansas, where he met Donalene Moore. They were married May 8, 1949 in Gaylord, Kansas. They made their home in Salina, later moving to Lindsborg, Olathe and finally to Wellsville, Kansas. He became a member of the Wellsville Baptist Church and was a deacon and church treasurer for many years. He retired from Southwestern Bell in 1983, after a 37 year career. In June of 2002 Gene and Dona moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. After Dona's death in December of 2007, he moved to Tulsa to be closer to his daughter, Gwen, and her family. Gene is preceded in death by his parents Lando and Leila and Donalene Moore Lesh, his wife of 58 years. He is also preceded by his brothers Ronald, Gilbert, and Edgar and his sister Myrna Lesh Mizell Davis.
Survivors include his brother Philip Lesh, his daughters, Gwen Fleske and husband David of Tulsa, and Gail Christensen and husband Michael of Newport News, VA; grandchildren, Jeannine Christensen and husband Chris Brooks of Newport News, VA, Rebecca Moschione Larkin and husband Joel of Blaine, MN, Ellen Gilbert and husband, Jason, of Williamsburg, VA, and Matthew Fleske of Tulsa; foster grandchildren, Gerald and Justin Marshall; and great-grandchildren, Arik Rhone-Christensen, Vittoria "Tori" Rhone-Christensen, Jacy Brooks, Nathaniel Gilbert, Shelby Gilbert, Alexandra Larkin and Thomas Larkin.
Memorials may be given to Grace Hospice of Tulsa and to the Will Rogers Library of Claremore for large print books.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willis Eugene Lesh, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Monday, October 18, 2010
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Gaylord Cemetery
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