Edward Lessar

TAMMS, Ill. -- Edward E. Lessar, 79, of rural Tamms died Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 26, 1927, in Elco, Ill., son of Joseph and Mable Sharp Lessar. He and Mary Ruth Newell were married March 4, 1948, at Elco.

Mr. Lessar was a lifetime member of Elco Pentecostal Church, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and chairman of the board. He was a former carpenter with Associate Lumber Co. in Tamms, worked at the former Tamms Silica Mill, former custodian at the IGA Store in Anna and Food World in Jonesboro, Ill., and was a retired farmer.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ruth Lessar; a son and daughter-in-law, Dwayne and Mary J. Lessar; a daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and Gary Birk, all of Tamms; a grandson and wife, Andrew and Cassandra Lessar; a granddaughter, Kara Birk; a great-grandchild (a bundle of joy) coming soon; two sisters and their husbands, Gladys and Ralph Ramage of Olive Branch, Ill., and Dora Bell and Buddy Warren of Miller City, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Myrtle, Flossie, Ethel, Carrie and Sherry; and four brothers, Ernest, Joe, Orville and Arthur.

Friends may call at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Pennington and the Rev. Clifton Lingle officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in rural Dongola, Ill.