Obituary of Lyle E. Kesterson

Lyle E. Kesterson, age 69 of rural Oxford, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at the St. Mary?s Auditorium in Oxford, with the Reverend Chester Render officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 3 to 7pm Tuesday at the Auditorium in Oxford. A memorial fund has been established in Lyle?s memory. Online condolences may be sent for Lyle?s family through our website @ www.gayandciha.com. Lyle E. Kesterson was born November 10, 1934 in Fremont County, Iowa the son of Edwin and Dortha (Chambers) Kesterson. He attended schools in Tabor and Mt. Ayr, Iowa graduating from Mt. Ayr High School in 1952. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the United States Air Force, being stationed in England. Following service, he enrolled in the Greer Refrigeration School in Chicago, starting a long career in refrigeration service ending with his retirement in December of 1996. On September 8, 1962, Lyle married Sharon Metz in Vinton, Iowa. He was a forty-two year member of Local Union #125, forty-year charter member of Refrigeration Service Engineer Society, member of the Coralville American Legion, and a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church. For many years, he raised and showed Saddle bred Horses in this area. Lyle enjoyed fishing in Minnesota, spending winters in Arizona, and being with his precious grandchildren. His family includes his wife, Sharon; mother, Dortha Kesterson of Tabor, IA; sons and their wives, Todd and Tammy Kesterson of Marengo, and Kirby and Kris Kesterson of Williamsburg, Lyle Jr. and Sue Kesterson of Tucson, AZ, Roger and Rhonda Kesterson of Casa Grande, AZ, and Lonn and Janet Kesterson of Williams, AZ; grandchildren, Taylor, Mitchell, and Grayson of Williamsburg; Kayla of Marengo; Hannah of Casa Grande, AZ; step-grandchildren, Jodi and her husband, Herman Gee and Ryan Gromenski of Tucson; step-great-grandson Jaden Gee of Tucson; brothers and their wives, Lynn and Janet Kesterson of Winterset, IA, and Michael ?Mic? and Karen Kesterson of Tabor; sister, Karen Vary of Tabor; numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many special friends. He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, brothers-in-law, Frances Hacker, Lyle , Leslie, and Roger Metz, and Chalmer Smith; sister-in-law, Voda Smith, a niece, nephew, and great-nephew. Lyle will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Iowa City is caring for Lyle?s family and his services.