LESTER A. BIRK

JACKSON -- Lester A. Birk, 72, of Jackson, died Wednesday, April 5, 1995, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 10, 1922, in Cape Girardeau, son of Walter W. and Ida Hoffmeister Birk. He and Zilpha M. Burnette were married June 23, 1946, in Paducah, Ky.

Birk was a graduate of Central High School and the former Office Training School in Cape Girardeau. He had been a foreman with Penzel Construction Co., and foreman of the former Byrd Township Road District.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and its Men's Club, and Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater, and received two Bronze Stars.

Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Lucille Schweer and Carol Stover of Jackson, Pam Birk of Summitt, N.J., Linda Parker of St. Louis; three sisters, Leona Schwab, Lorene Richey and Ethel Helwege of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.