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Lester F. Guenther

Lester F. Guenther, 89, Rockton, died Monday, July 6, 2015.

He was born Sept. 2, 1925, to George L. and Elsie (Lemke) Guenther in Morton Grove.

On June 21, 1947, he married Ruth Glade at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine.

He was a 1943 graduate of Palatine Township High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served as an engineer aboard the USS Renville (APA 227). On April 1, 1945, his LCVP crew was among the landing troops for the battle of Okinawa.

He farmed in Schaumburg and then in Woodstock for 30 years. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church during his years living in Woodstock. He also was employed as a DeKalb Ag Seed rep for 26 years and served on the boards of McHenry County Farm Bureau, McHenry/Lake Pork Producers and McHenry County FS Inc. He served as a Seneca Township trustee and was a director for the First National Bank of Marengo. He was also a member of the Harvard Milk Center Squares Square Dancing Club and enjoyed golfing and traveling. He especially enjoyed attending reunions for the crew of the USS Renville.

Survivors include seven nieces and nephews, Lynn (Charles) Bibbiano, Frank (Karen) Muehlfelt, Jack (Paula) Muehlfelt, Jill (Frederick) Hasstedt, Richard Muehlfelt, Jeff Guenther and Keith (Cristin) Guenther; several grandnieces and grandnephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Todd Guenther; his wife; a brother, George Guenther; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy “Betty” Guenther.

Visitation was July 13 and will continue at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, until the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home. The Rev. Scott Herbert and the Rev. Rick Wagner will officiate.

Interment will follow in McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock.

Memorials can be made to St. Andrew’s Church, Rockton; Beloit Regional Hospice; Honor Flight Chicago, 773-227-8387 or Vets Roll, 800-383-2267.

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