Lester G. Buening, 80, St. Henry, died Jan. 1, 2008, at The Gardens at St. Henry.

He was born June 25, 1927, in Coldwater to Aloys and Leona Huelskamp Buening. On April 26, 1952, he married Betty Lou Ahlers, who survives.

Surviving are two sons, Gary (Juanita), Cassella, and Dan (Mary Jane), Burkettsville; a daughter, Joanie (Nick) Muhlenkamp, Coldwater; a brother, Lavern (Agnes), Coldwater; a sister, Martha (Fred) Kremer, West Lafayette, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Kay Buening, Coldwater; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A brother, Gerald, and a granddaughter are deceased.

He retired from the former New Idea plant in Coldwater after 42 years of service and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended St. Henry Catholic Church and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5135 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3025, both of Coldwater.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church with burial to follow at the church cemetery. The VFW will conduct graveside rites.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Home Health and Hospice.