Mary Lessar

TAMMS, Ill. -- Mary "Ruth" Lessar, 86, of Tamms died at 9:44 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016, at Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 22, 1930, in Tamms, the daughter of William Edward and Carrie (Illman) Newell. She married Edward E. Lessar on March 4, 1948, in Elco, Illinos. He preceded her in death Feb. 19, 2007.

Ruth is survived by her two children, Yvonne (Gary) Birk of Jonesboro, Illinois, and Dwayne Lessar of Tamms; two grandchildren, Andrew (Cassandra) Lessar and Kara (Scott) Green; two great-grandchildren, Philip Lessar and Sarah Lessar; other relatives; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward E. Lessar; and three brothers, Henry Lee Newell, Roy Newell and Glenn Newell.

Ruth was a member of the Tamms Pentecostal Church. She loved vegetable gardening and fishing. Ruth was unable to attend high school, but in later years, she was very proud to obtain her GED. She later went on to work for Shawnee Development Council as a caretaker.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary "Ruth" Lessar will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with Andrew Lessar and the Rev. James McLane officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.