Lester E. Warncke, age 81, of rural Wauseon, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 3, 2013 at Swanton Health Care. Prior to his retirement in 1993 he had worked as a truck driver and salesman for the Zehr Company for two years and then went on to work for Sterling Milk Company as a semi driver, hauling milk for 34 years.
Lester was born in Wauseon on October 6, 1931, the son of Carl and Viola (Arps) Warncke. On June 10, 1956 he married Barbara Meyer, and she survives. They recently celebrated their 57th anniversary. He was a lifelong member of St. Luke Lutheran Church of rural Wauseon, where he had served as a Deacon, Chairman of the Congregation and as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a Navy Veteran of the Korean War, having served aboard the U.S.S. Boxer for four years. He was a member of the Wauseon American Legion Post #265. Lester loved antique tractors, was a member of the National Threshers Association, but most of all he loved his grandchildren!
Surviving is his wife, Barbara; three sons, Mitchel (Ginger) Warncke, Jeff Warncke, and Todd (Amy) Warncke, all of Wauseon; two daughters, Robin (Mitch) Weinstock of San Diego, California and Joni (Scott) Goldsmith of Wauseon; grandchildren, Rachel (Michael Drenning) Goldsmith, Nicole Goldsmith, McCormick Warncke and Eli Warncke; and sister, Dolores Warncke of Wauseon. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Richard Warncke.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon. The funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 7, 2013 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dale Kern, officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Luke Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to St. Luke Lutheran Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.