Clara B. Van Lester

VAN LESTER, Mrs. Clara B.
Kalamazoo, MI Died Friday evening April 6, 2012. Clara was born December 7, 1923 in Boswell, Oklahoma a daughter of John and Estelle Gregory Finch. She had been a Kalamazoo area resident since 1945, coming from Monroe, Louisiana. Clara also attended the Bethel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stalley K. Van Lester on February 7, 1992; and 2 sisters, Jesse and Betty. Clara is survived by 4 children, John Vicki Van Lester and William "Doug" Van Lester all of Kalamazoo, Jeffrey Lee Debbi Van Lester of Deltona, FL, and Shawn Eric Marsha Van Lester of Kissimmee, FL; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Geraldine Raymond Bennett of Nampa, ID and Shirley "Von" Mims of Monroe, LA; a brother, James Robbi Finch of Monroe, LA; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 11 o'clock Wednesday at the Bethel Baptist Church, 402 S. Westnedge Ave. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will be held in Ft. Custer National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Boys Scouts of America or the Baptist Pioneer Mission, c/o the DeVall's.