Lester E. Caulk Obituary (1924 - 2018)

Lester E. Caulk, 93, of Pana passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at St. John's Hospital, Springfield. He was born August 3, 1924 in Morrisonville to the late Eli & Alta (Carlock) Caulk. Lester attended Nokomis High School. He then went into the United States Air Force, serving in WWII, going to the Atlantic as a Cpl. Aircraft Re-Fueler for 18 months. After his service, he made his living as a carpenter. Lester married Lila V. Mathias of Tower Hill on December 2, 1945. After having 5 children, they moved to California, where he installed bowling alley machines. Lester, having his pilot's license, enjoyed building & flying airplanes as a hobby. He also enjoyed golfing and bowling. After his divorce from Lila, he married Pearl Kendall on December 24, 1967. She preceded him in death. Lester then moved back to Pana, where he lived for the last 24+ years. The family would like to thank Prairie Rose Health Care Center for all that they did for him. Lester is survived by his children: Barbara Marvin, Glenn (Judy) Caulk, Donna French; & Joyce (Phil) Anderson, all of Pana, IL; Gary Caulk, Assumption, IL; 13 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and Joyce Pauley of Pana, his loving companion for the past 19 years. He was also preceded in death by his sisters: Ethel Johnson, Betty Anderscott, Edith Beatty, Kathryn Mayberry; and brothers: Warren Caulk, Billy Caulk, & Jr. Caulk. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Randy Miller officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Assumption with graveside military rites by Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time in the funeral home. Memorial in Lester's honor may be made to Prairie Rose Health Care Center, Pana.