Bertha (Johnson) Lester, 88 of New Paris, and formerly of New Madison passed away Monday, May 11, 2009 at 12:45 pm.
She was born September 7, 1920 the to the late Frank Marshall & Mary Elsie(Albertson) Johnson. She was a longtime member of the Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, where she also taught adult Sunday school class. She was graduate of Spartanburg High school and attended Richmond Business College. Bertha was an avid Bible student and attended Bible Study Fellowship in Richmond. She was a Homemaker, teachers aid for Nettlecreek School Corp. in Hagerstown, Indiana. Bertha also was a Township Assessor for Jefferson Twp. In Wayne County. She was an avid reader, learner, and loved to quilt and garden and most of all spend time with her family.
Bertha is survived by two sons, David and wife Nancey Lester of Eau Claire, Michigan and John Lester of Hagerstown, Indiana; one daughter, Linda and husband Hank Richardson of New Paris, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Aaron and Beth Lester, Brian and Lindsay Lester, Amy and Matthew Barr, Rebecca and Nick North, Ruth and Matthew Seifert, Emily Richardson, Robert Lester, and Kelly Lester; eight great grandchildren; one sister Cynthia Mae Polley of Lynn, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Bertha is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Lester whom she married on April 10, 1948; a sister, Helen Clements and a brother Joel Johnson.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren in New Paris, Ohio with the Rev. Jim Chronister being asked to Officiate. Services will be held following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009 at the West Lawn Cemetery in Hagerstown, Indiana.
Family request memorial contributions be given to the Cedar Grove Churh Family life Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.storchbraundfuneralhome.com. Services are entrusted to Storch Braund Funeral Home in New Madison.
