Lester E. Baucher, 85, 4228 Monroe Road, Celina, died at 8:45 p.m. Sept. 2, 2009, at Joint Township Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

He was born April 12, 1924, in Coldwater to Joseph and Frances Thees Baucher. On June 1, 1946, he married Florence Alice Buck, who survives.

Other survivors are two sons, Richard Leroy (Patricia) Baucher, Celina, David (Norma) Baucher, Celina; three daughters, Sharon (Jerry) Garman, Coldwater, Susan Christina Hagen, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sandra (Lt. Colonel Kevin) Stevens, Florence, Texas; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a son-in-law, Christian Hagen.

He retired in 1986 from the Experimental Development Department at the former New Idea, Coldwater. He was a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Celina, the United Steel Workers Union and was an Honorary State Farm officer with the Future Farmers of America. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II in Normandy.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Randy Christian officiating. Burial, with military honors, is at Swamp College Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars membership services will be held at 6:30 p.m.

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

Condolences can be made at LHDfuneralhome.com.