Lester Marion "Leck" Laur, 96, of Waltonville, and a former resident of Scheller, passed away 11:04 p.m. Thursday Oct. 6, 2011, at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, surrounded by his family.

Leck was born a son of Charles and Hattie (Barnett) Laur on Feb. 17, 1915, in Scheller.

In 1942 he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Mary Reatis (Johnson), in Huntsville, Ala., while he was stationed in Tullahoma, Tenn., with the United States Army. She preceded his in death on Dec. 16, 2004.

Leck served his country as a military policeman in the United States Army during World War II, he spent most of his time in the Iran area. He worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation until retirement.

Leck was also a lifetime farmer. Leck was a member of the Waltonville VFW Post 9153 of Waltonville. He loved to hunt, fish and was an avid outdoorsman. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. His humor and wit will be missed by all who knew him.

Leck is survived by a daughter, Alto Marian Allen of Mt. Vernon; a son, Kirby Laur of Scheller and daughter-in-law, Julie Laur of Sesser; grandchildren, Charles Lester (Chuck) (Anita) Allen of Mt. Vernon, Crystal (Billy) Beckham of Mt. Vernon, John Nicholas Allen of Fairview Heights, Mary Elizabeth Allen of Carterville, Lester Laur of Scheller, Austin Laur of Scheller and Whitney Laur of Scheller, William Lester Hussey of Spokane, Wash., Jimmy (Trish) Hussey of Pompano Beach, Fla., Dale (Becky) Hussey of Pompano Beach, Fla., Ryan Hussey of Pompano Beach, Fla,; great-grandchildren, Carley Allen, Charley Lester Allen, Blase Beckham all of Mt. Vernon, Juliana Laur of New Baden, Trace Hussey, Bryce Hussey both of Spokane, Wash., Tyler Hussey, Trent Hussey both of Pompano Beach, Fla., Dylan Hussey of Dallas and Michael James Hussey of Pompano Beach., Fla.; sister, Millie Kiselewski of Waltonville; and one brother, Dallas Laur and wife Donita of Benton.

Leck was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Hattie (Barnett) Laur; a daughter, Joyce (Laur) Hussey-LeChance; grandson Michael LeChance; brothers, Joe "Don" Laur, Clarence Laur and Tom Laur; and two sisters, Velma Kiselewski and Vera Bell.

Leck and his wife attended the Church of the Nazarene in Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Newell Funeral home in Mt. Vernon, with Pastor Tim Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 141 of Mt. Vernon. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. You may call Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon at 246-0100 or visit us on-line for further information.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: October 2011
Submitted by: Rosemary Newell Atkins