Lester A. Brien, 92, of Bluffton formerly of Kenton, died at 9:16 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. at the Bluffton Mennonite Home.  He was born on May 4, 1925 in Marion County the son of the late Emmit and Nellie (Clinger) Brien.  On July 18, 1945, he married his wife of nearly 70 years, Vera L. Dyer and she died on May 26, 2015.

Lester is survived by his children Linda (John) Harbison of Bluffton, James Michael (Brenda) Brien of Woodville, and Timothy Arden Brien (friend Paula Wray) of Rock Island, Ill.

And, grandchildren Jill (Mike) Wolverton of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Perry (Lora) Harbison of Pemberville; Donovan Brien of Bowling Green; Ben (Dawn) Brien of Woodville; Taylor Ann Brien of Mesa, Ariz., and Bryce Brien of North Liberty, Iowa.

And, great-grandchildren, Justin (Kayla) Harbison of Dayton and Kaylee Harbison of Findlay; step great grandchildren Marissa Breier of San Diego, Calif., Jillayna Harrison of Pemberville, and Nancy Harrison of Naples, Fla.; a great great granddaughter Harper-Grace Harbison of Dayton; and a step great great granddaughter Bly Marsh of Pemberville.

He was preceded in death by two brothers Leroy and Meredith.

Lester was a 1943 graduate of Kenton High School. He was a farmer and
retired after 36 years from Eaton Forge Division of Marion and later from Lugibihl Auto and Truck Sales of Bluffton.

He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Air Corp. as a tail gunner on
a B24.  Lester took an Honor Flight to Washington DC in August of 2011.  He was a member of the Bluffton American Legion Post 382.

Funeral services for Lester A. Brien will be held Thursday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Schindewolf Stout Crates Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Dooley officiating.  Burial will be in the McDonald Fairview Cemetery where full military graveside rites will be conducted by the Kenton AMVETS Post 1994 Honor Guard. 

The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 20, at the funeral home.

Contributions in Lester's memory may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting stoutcrates.com.