Lester Ray Warner

Lester Ray Warner, also known as “Sonny” and “Flatlander”, was born December 15, 1931 in Bement, Illinois. He grew up on a farm with his sister Joanna, graduating from Bement Township High School in May of 1949. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 11, 1951 in Chicago, honorably serving our country as an apprentice plumber and later in plumbing repair, being discharged from Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan on October 30, 1953 due to family hardship. “Sonny” returned home to assist in farming the family farm near Bement.

“Sonny” met the love of his life Jeanette “Jan” Mae Curry and married at Zion Lutheran Church on September 18, 1954 in East Tawas, Michigan. They were married nearly 70-happy fun-filled years until Jan left this earth on May 21, 2023 at the age of 89.

Favorite memories involved the Curry Cabin in Michigan, a gathering point for family through the years and during hunting seasons. The stories he could tell with his handsome smile were heart-warming to all. His United States of America flag from Military Service Honors will be sent there as a reminder of his love for the Curry family.

Les and Jan left Illinois in April of 1970 after finding another life and their paradise in LaGrande, Union County, Oregon where they resided the remainder of their lives. These soul-mates thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor hobby of gardening and loved exploring the mountains of Eastern Oregon after leaving the flat lands of Illinois. They both enjoyed fishing, hunting big game and birds, and lived with the companionship of their faithful dogs. Les enjoyed competitive trap shooting, achieving the distinctive honor of “100” successful shots in a row.

“Flatlander”, as many people fondly addressed him in La Grande, touched people in positive ways as a good friend, helping however and whenever he could. He also served by participating in the community to make it a better place to live, building friendships through kindness and respect wherever he went. This is what God wants us to do. He was a member of the American Legion Post 43 for 29-years, served on the La Grande Cemetery District board of directors for 14-years, was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for 70-years (achieving 3rd Degree), and was a long-term member of the First Presbyterian Church, the National Rifle Association and the La Grande Gun Club.

His work-life involved plumbing monitoring and repair in manufacturing and storage of chemicals for various companies in Michigan, Illinois, and Colorado, finally ending his career after 15+ years with Borden Chemical Co. near La Grande, Oregon.

Les was preceded in death by his loving wife Jan and his parents John and Anna. He is survived by his sister Joanna of Bement, many nieces and nephews who reside in the mid-West and East, as well as his “adopted” family and close friends in La Grande, Orgegon.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M., on Saturday, April 27, 2024 , at the First Presbyterian Church of Bement. The Rev. Marsha Frederick will officiate. Burial will military honors by the Albert Parker American Legion Post of Bement, will be in the Bement Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the church in care of H. Brent Lewis, 1910 Foley St., La Grande, Oregon 97850.

Aaron and Susie Hinds of Hinds Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Bement, IL., have the honor to serve the family of Lester Ray Warner, “Our Family is Here to Serve Your Family”. Please visit our website at www.hindsfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.