Lester J. Wilhelm, 80, of Seneca, KS, died late Saturday evening, February 7, 2004, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. He was transferred there from Crestview Manor care home, where he had been a resident since March of 2000.

He was born July 9, 1923, in Kelly, KS, the son of Anthony and Elizabeth Heinen Wilhelm. He grew up there and attended school. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 10, 1945, and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was discharged on October 28, 1946.

After returning to Seneca, he worked for Ray Droge Construction and for Francis Zelfer on his farm. In 1948 he moved to Woodlawn, where he farmed and worked at the Oneida Elevator. In February of 1968 he began employment at the Farmer’s Elevator, later called Seneca Elevator, where he worked 30 years until his retirement in June of 1998.

On January 3, 1945, he married Virginia M. Lehmkuhl at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived south of Seneca most of their married life. They were married for 56 years before her death on January 4, 2001.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society, the Knights of Columbus #1769 for over 50 years, and a lifetime member of the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Seneca. Lester enjoyed playing cards at the Knights of Columbus clubroom and visiting with his friends.

Survivors are four sons, Wayne of Junction City, Robert “Bob” of Barryton, Dale of Seneca, and Thomas of Hiawatha; a daughter, Charlene Collom of Topeka; two sisters, Gladys Forst of Wamego and Elda Rose Koch of Marysville; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lori Collom on January 19, 1998.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with full military honors by the 190th Air Refueling Wing, which is the unit of Lester’s son Bob, presently serving in Iraq, and by the VFW and the American Legion of Seneca. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.