Lester M. Hutchings, 79, St. Marys, formerly of Springfield, died at 2 p.m. April 10, 2010, at his home.

He was born Nov. 7, 1930, in Fairview, Mo., to Lester and Bessie Sharp Hutchings. On Feb. 10, 1957, he married Ruby McGhee, who died July 29, 2005.

Surviving are two children, Charles (Diane) Hutchings, Springfield, and Carolyn McRobie, Naples, Fla.; two brothers, John Hutchings, Joplin, Mo., and Claude Hutchings, Fairview, Mo.; a sister, Lillie Dean Eaton, Joplin, Mo.; a granddaughter, and four great grandchildren.

He worked as a head chef for Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a 1949 graduate of Fairview High School in Fairview, Mo. He was a member of the American Legion.

Funeral rites are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Meyer Community Chapel at the Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community, the Rev. Carol Sainey officiating. Burial will be at Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Calling is 3-6 p.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.

Contributions can be made to Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community.

Condolences can be made to the family at Millerfuneralhomes.net.