Richard Kester

Richard Kester, 73, of Gordonville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 10, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, son of Herman Rudolph and Augusta Minnie Ahrens Kester.

Richard was raised on the family farm near Friedheim. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended school at Oak Ridge. After school, he worked for the former Ladreiter Mobil Gas Station in uptown Jackson. He later worked for Spartech Plastic in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 2006 after 43 years of employment.

When he moved to Gordonville, Richard joined Christ Lutheran Church, where he was a member for over 50 years and was head usher for several years. He was a charter member of Cape Public Water Supply District No. 4, located in Gordonville.

Loving survivors include his daughter, Tammy (Michael) Sides of Cape Girardeau; a grandson, Michael (Rachel) Sides of Winnebago, Illinois; former wife, Katherine "Katy" Kester; four brothers, Leroy Kester and Eugene Kester, both of Jackson, Bobby Kester of Friedheim and Mike (Joyce) Kester of Sedgewickville, Missouri; and four sisters, Marie (Maurice) Lange of Cape Girardeau, Georgia (Robert) Bazzell of Jackson, Susan (Richard) Engel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Carolyn (Jerry) Dockins of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by a sister in-law, Ruth Kester.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at noon Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Gallagher officiating. Interment will be in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery in Gordonville.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Christ Lutheran Church at Gordonville.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.