Lester Cerana

Lester Cerana, 82, of Gnadenhutten, O., passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 after a short illness.

Born February 21, 1927 in Midvale, O., he was a son of the late Pio and Amelia (Bertolini) Cerana.

Lester served his country in the United States Army Air Corps at the close of World War II having been stationed in Germany during its occupation. With the exception of his time in the military, he was a lifelong resident of Tuscarawas County.

He retired from Superior Clay in the early 80’s and had previously worked for several area clay companies and coal mines. Lester had also been a co-owner of the Y Tavern with his father for a number of years.

On August 11, 1956, Lester married the former Faye E. Parrish with whom he enjoyed nearly forty-seven years of marriage until her passing on June 19, 2003. They are survived by a son, Lester A. Cerana of Gnadenhutten; a granddaughter, Jin-A Cerana of Washington state; and a step grandson, Youn Cerana who is currently deployed in Afghanistan.

He is also survived by two brothers, John Cerana and his wife, Augusta, of Vineland, N.J. and Robert Cerana and his wife, Ardeth, of Uhrichsville; two sisters, Margaret “Lena” Cox of Cadiz and Sara Metzger and her husband, Ben, of Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Lenora Lenzo and Clara Paina, and three brothers, Leo D., Pio “Pete” Jr., and Louis P. Cerana.

Lester was a Life Member of the V.F.W., having been primarily active in the former Midvale post, and was a founding member of the Hey Jacks Sportsman’s Club. He loved to fish, and in his younger years, was an avid hunter. He also raised many dogs over the years whom he dearly loved.

Services for Lester, officiated by Rev. Harry Milligan, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18, in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home at Dennison. Interment will follow beside his beloved wife in West Union Cemetery near Gilmore.

Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday. Those wishing to honor Lester’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to the American Heart Association.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740) 922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com