Ronald L. Lester

Ronald L. Lester, respected husband and father, died today, May 22, from cardiac issues resulting from recent bouts with the flu and pneumonia. He had just turned 81.  

Ronald, or “Ron” as he was commonly known, was born on May 19, 1938 to Marvin and Imogene Lester in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Soft-spoken and intelligent, Mr. Lester was a man of quiet dignity, a man who fervently loved his wife, Josephine, and was admired by his children, his friends, and his colleagues at work for his devotion to what is right in life.  Ron, a person of great character, was the finest of men.

A graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, Ron went on to retire from International Harvester as a Maintenance Supervisor after 37 years of service.  However, he was much more than that. Ron, as described by one of children, was “the most intelligent, thoughtful person I’ve ever met.” Many would agree with this description of this outstanding individual.  

Preceded in death by his parents; sons, William and Nicholas Hagy; three grandchildren: Amanda Lester, Billy Lester, and Chad Ogden; niece, Diane Harding; Ron is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Josephine; his sister, Sandy (Frank) Harmon; his children, Vickie Ogden, Joni (Bill) Montgomery, Ronnie (Debbie) Lester, David (Amy) Lester, Charles (Deborah) Hagy, Chris Hagy, Jamie Hagy; daugher-in-law, Laura (Jimmy Williams) Hagy; 14 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.  

A viewing will be held at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 4-7PM. Funeral services will be held the following day, Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 10AM at St. Barnabas Catholic Church – 8300 Rahke Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46217.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Riley Children’s’ Hospital.

In thinking about Ron, his love and commitment to family and his contribution to our community, we are reminded of a line from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.  That line reads,  “His life was gentle, and the elements mixed so well in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, “This was a man.”