Obituary of Reverend Lester W. Pearson

Reverend Lester Wendell Pearson, 88, of Iowa City, went to be with his Lord on Monday, January 23, 2012, at Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2012, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. A time of visitation will take place one hour prior to the service and a time for food and fellowship will follow. Lester's body will be donated to the University of Iowa Anatomy Department and later inurnment will take place at the Oaklawn Cemetery, Oakland, Iowa. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Oakland Christian Church which nurtured him on the path to his ministry. Lester was born January 23, 1924, in Oakland, Iowa; son of Edna (Bender) and Frank Pearson. He remained in Oakland through his high school graduation. After school he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served during WWII in the Pacific Theatre with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group of the 5th Air Force. On August 19, 1949, he married Louise Warner. Children from their union include Rebbecca Ertz, Janet Main and Mark Pearson. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at Drake University, ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and later earned his Master of Divinity degree. He served his Lord, first as a student preacher in Barney, Lorimor and Madison Chapel. He then answered God's call as pastor in Iowa Christian Churches in Garwin, Coggon, Exira, Guthrie Center, Marshalltown, Creston and Woodbine. He had a special passion for working with youth. He also served in many regional and local organizations. Lester was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Geraldine Ruth; brother, Dwight Pearson and grandson, Nathan. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Lester's family and his arrangements.