Lester Pannell (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Laurel Lester Pannell, son of Ira William Monroe and Lee Ella McClure Pannell, was born September 26, 1931, in Aurora, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, November 6, 2016, in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, one month, and ten days.
On June 17, 1962, he was united in marriage to Charlene Mae Caufield, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Gattaye Kahl.
Lester is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Charlene, of the home; a daughter, Angelia Wojak, and her husband, Joe, of Manhattan, New York; two sons, Troy Pannell, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Eric Pannell, and his wife, Dynesha, of Nixa, Missouri; two grandchildren, Hannah and Ella Pannell, of Nixa, Missouri; a sister, Barbara Willard, of the State of Colorado; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Aurora, Missouri, and graduated from Aurora High School. He served his country faithfully in the United States Air Force from December 21, 1951, until December 20, 1955, during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the military, he returned to his studies and completed his undergraduate work at Missouri State University. He then earned his Master Degree in Arts from Drury University. He began a career in education at Lebanon R-III Schools and taught Social Studies and History at the Lebanon Junior High and for over thirty years. He and Charlene made their home on their farm in Lebanon, and lovingly raised their family. Lester enjoyed farm work and life on the farm. He had a great appreciation for nature, and was an avid bird watcher. He had written an article for the Lebanon Daily Record Newspaper entitled “Audubon News” from 1991 until two weeks ago in 2016, spanning over twenty-five years. He had also written a book entitled, The Story of My Life as a Birder.
Lester attended First Christian Church in Lebanon, where he served as a Sunday school teacher for many years.
In his spare time he enjoyed pitching horseshoes, playing cards, and bowling. He liked sports of all kinds but particularly followed the Missouri State University Bears and the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team. He was actively involved in the Laclede County Retired School Personnel Association. He enjoyed tracing his family genealogy and sharing that information with his family. He was very trustworthy, honest, and modest, and always wanted to do the right thing. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his two grandchildren.
Lester was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his eighty-five years.
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