Larry A. Jester, Sr.

Larry A. Jester Sr, of South Bend, IN, died Tuesday April 25, 2017 surrounded by his family at Hospice House, after a courageous battle of lung cancer.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary, and son Larry Jr.

Larry was born March 21, 1945 to Russell and Evadean (Emerick) Jester.

He was a lifelong resident of South Bend. Larry attended Riley High School and that is where he met his high school sweetheart, Mary, whom he was married to for 49 years. After high school Larry enlisted into The United States Marine Corps. He served over 6 years. He ranked CPL (E-4); Larry received a Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Citation, and 2 Good Conduct Medals. Larry also had a Rifle Marksman Badge and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Larry received his honorable discharge from the service and went on to be a machinist, and retired from Attco in South Bend.

Larry married Mary Alice Monteith on June 29, 1964 and they went on to have 6 children, Larry Jr (Elizabeth); Jim (Lori); Scott (Sherri); Lori Mills (Kevin); Gregory (JoAnne); and Becky Jester all of South Bend. Larry will be missed by his grandchildren, Lyndsay, Hannah, Carlie, Grace, Melyssa, Abbey, Kristina, Marisa, Ashley, Megan, Jessica, Jimmy, Troy, Dominick, Aidan, Trevor, David, Shawn, Eric, Adam, Steven, Zack, and Larry also had 4 great grandchildren.

Larry loved to travel after retirement to Missouri where he would visit his sister- in- law and some of his very best friends, Sam and Maggie Noe. He also enjoyed spending time with lifelong pals Bruce and Bev Ward and Randy Fish. Larry enjoyed fishing, traveling and camping, and he loved his life.

The family wanted to add a special thank you to the nurses and doctors on 10 oncology at Memorial Hospital; and Hospice House in Roseland for the care and compassion they provided the Jester family.

Larry was an amazing husband, dad, grandfather and a friend, he will be missed, we love you dad.

Private Services will take place at a later date.

Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.