OBITUARY – LENORA WEST – SESSER

Lenora West, 90, of Sesser, died at 10:34 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at her home.

She was born on January 2, 1923 in Sesser to  Joseph Pavletich and Pierina (Chervaten) Pavletich.

Lenora helped with the family business, Eastview Grocery Store.  She then moved to St. Louis after graduating from Goode-Barren Township High school and worked for Western Union delivering telegrams and then she worked for Small Arms Ammunition Plant in St. Louis.  She also worked for Sesser Five-and-Dime, and she and her husband operated the Custard Stand in Sesser, IL for many years

Lenora was also president of the American Legion Auxiliary, past president of the Eastern Star United Methodist Church of Sesser, IL.  She was also a lifelong member of the Sesser United Methodist Church.

When Lenora and her sister would come home from school they were instructed to only speak English not Croatian, so the family could learn how to speak English.  She was a perpetual teacher she enjoyed helping her children study for tests and passing on her love for reading to her children. Her last lesson of life was how she handled her death.  Lenora was a wonderful wife, sister and mother.

She married Leon West on June 27, 1944 and she moved to Moreinci, AZ when Leon was stationed in the military to work at the copper mines. When her husband was called to the European Theater, she moved back to Sesser.  After Leon was wounded in the Argon Forrest he was sent to a hospital in London, then he was transferred to Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, CO.  Lenora joined him in Denver where she lived a block away from the hospital while he recuperated.

Lenora is survived by one son, Marvin Lee West, Sesser/Carbondale, IL; three daughters, Kathy Joann West and husband Royce Jackson, of Du Quoin, Cindy Lou Dame-Vanhorn and husband Ron, of Whittington and Melinda Sue Kelly and husband Joseph, of Sesser.

Also surviving are grandchildren Christine Leigh and husband Eul Vickers, of Scheller, IL, Aileen Grace Kelly, of Sesser/Carbondale, Il, step grandchildren Rachel Jackson, of Carbondale, Paul Russell and wife Paige Pestka Jackson, of Tallahassee, FL, and one great-grandson, Haystin Andon Vickers.

Lenora is also survived by one brother, Lawrence Joseph and wife Glenda Pavletich, of Sesser, IL and a sister, Normal Lee Martin, of Du Quoin, IL.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and two very special caregivers Glenda Fornear and Daisy Sims.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one infant sister Matilda Pavletich and one grandson, Brandon Lee Dame.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Joseph Kelly of the Eternal Friends of Christ, of Sesser, officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday, January 17, 2013 after 5 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Marshall Browning Tree of Life, Eternal Friends of Christ, or to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.