United States Navy Retired WWII Veteran
Lester passed away December 10, 2018 at Cameron Regional Medical Center.He had been a resident at The Missouri Veterans Home Cameron, Mo. for 2 years.
He was born on March 4, 1925 in Mill Creek, IL to Blanch (Dickerson) and Harvey Sronce. Lester was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Betty Jane (Frazee) Sronce. He was also preceded in death by five sisters and 3 brothers.
After completing basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center he was stationed at Olathe Naval Air Station Olathe, KS. In 1943.While at ONAS he met his future wife Betty (whom he fondly referred to as his Jenny Fiddle) they married on February 19, 1944. Of this union 2 children were born. Ronald Lester and Carol Genevieve.
Lester is survived by Ronald and wife Janice of Inverness, Fl. and Buffalo, MO, Carol Timberman and husband Roy of Gladstone, MO four granddaughters Cheri L. Siener Steen (Brian) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Stephanie K. Siener Weeks (Vernon) of Lawrence, Kansas.,Staci R. Siener Gustin of Gladstone, Mo., Deborah A. Sronce Barth (Monte) of Pelham, Al., one step granddaughter Nikki S. Timberman Farmer (Greg) Oak Grove, MO. Eight great children, Alyssa R. Steen, Ryan M. Steen, Kristina N. Alderson, Daniel J. Alderson, Amanda L. Gustin, Madison T. Gustin, Jacob T. Gustin, Danielle B.Barth Stratigos (Alexander) one step great granddaughter Kinsey Farmer, one great-great granddaughter Tresiana A. Stratigos.
Lester served aboard the aircraft carrier Saratoga and at Pearl Harbor, though most of his Naval Career was at ONAS, Olathe, KS the last 18 months was at Arlington Naval Air Station Arlington, TX. Lester and Betty were longtime residents of Olathe and raised their children in the home they bought in 1954, except for a "vacation home away from home" at Fair Grove, MO near their son Ronald and daughter in law Janice.
Ask anyone that knew Lester and they will tell you he had a great sense of humor and told the wittiest and funniest stories. According to his daughter Carol, that humor lasted until a couple hours before he passed. One of his greatest pleasures was sitting on his front porch watching cars and people.
Lester was a cook in the Navy and was head of the galley for many years. Lester was a good cook but had great difficulty preparing food in small amounts. He was known in his family for his potato salad and strawberry short cake and his iron skillet full of fried potatoes.
At 93 he had a life well lived. His family will miss him. He was one of a group we refer to as the Greatest Generation. Visitation will be at Porter Funeral Home 8535 Monrovia Lenexa, KS. From9:00-10:00 AM December 17, 2018. Followed with burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery the funeral procession will be escorted to Leavenworth by Professional Escorts owned and operated by son in law Roy Timberman. Lead escort car will be driven by Lester’s granddaughter Staci Gustin. Staci said "Though this will be emotional for me, I will be very honored to escort my grandfather to his final resting place next to my grandmother"
Graveside services with military rites will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery at 11:00 AM with Pastor Daniel Vanderpool officiating.
As said by his son Ronald "Dad, you are now set free to soar high into the Heavens like the eagles you loved so much"