Leland E Lester

“Tears are prayers too. They travel to God when we cannot speak”. Today God is surely “listening” intently as we shed tears in mourning the loss of our son, brother, cousin, friend, Leland E. Lester whose life was cut short so abruptly in a tragic accident on March 20, 2024.

Leland, who was a senior at Hamilton High School was born to Boone Lester and Melissa Witte on June 29, 2006 in Auburn, Indiana. He grew into an adventurous, inquisitive, industrious, intelligent fearless boy, well, except for the “Big Rat” at Chuckie Cheese and possibly his “scary Aunt Mariah”. Leland was the “protective” big brother to his little sister, Alena, rising to her defense when she was being “bullied”. We should all be so blessed as to have such a big brother. Leland participated in various activities including track, basketball, soccer, little league baseball, and karate. Some of Leland’s happiest moments were spent camping at his Uncle Chip’s property in northern Michigan and swimming in “Lake Leland”. He was set to graduate from Hamiton High School this spring and his parents were busy planning his graduation party, now with heavy hearts and tear-filled eyes they are planning his memorial service. But for Leland, he has shed his earthly body and his spirit has been released to soar with the angels who include his relatives that have already made the journey to heaven. These angels include his cousins Autumn Neyome, Sarah Brygal, and Kylie Everage, grandmother Diane Witte, grandfather Russell Allen “Pap”, uncle Stephen Witte, aunts Cindy George and Connie Towns Bedgood.

Those of us left behind to mourn his passing and cherish his memory include: his parents Boone and Sirena Lester and Melissa (Witte) and Chris Short. His sisters and brothers; Alana Lester, Alena Queen, Alexis Frey,, Collin Warfield, and sister as well as best friend, Alyssa Wolfe,. His grandparents: Mark Lester, Catherine (Towns) Lester, Brenda Krafft, James Witte, and Connie Allen. Great grandparents: Jack & Brenda Jenkins. Aunts and uncles: Chip & Dana Neyome, Shane Neyome, Bill & Courtney Lester, Seth Lester, Mariah & Sam Thompson, Jordan & Jackie Sutton, Monica Stevens, Curtis & Shelby Witte, Sabrina Short, Belinda Short as well as many loving cousins.

A visitation for Leland will be held Wednesday, March 27th at Feller & Clark Funeral Home in Waterloo from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Service to be held Thursday, March 28th at Butler Christian Community Church in Butler at 1:00 p.m. There will be an hour-long visitation at the church prior to his service beginning at 12:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leland’s memory to Butler Christian Community Church, 501 W. Green St. Butler, IN 46721. To send condolences to the family visit www.fellerandclark.com. God speed Leland “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4.