Lester G. Whiteside

Lester G. Whiteside, 79, a resident of Wichita and formerly of Neodesha and Fredonia, died Wednesday, November 30, 2005, at the St. Francis Harry Hynes Hospice Facility. He was born January 17, 1926 in Neodesha, Kansas, the son of Lester G. and Ruth (George) Whiteside. He served in the Merchant Marines 1943-1947. Following his discharge he worked for 30 years for the San Francisco Railroad as a switchman, retiring in 1979. On April 30, 1949 in Fredonia, he married Rebecca Hubbard. She survives at their home. He was a member of the American Legion in Fredonia, then transferred his membership to Wichita. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, camping and traveling. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Rebecca, include: Two Daughters & Son-In-Law, Bill & Sandra (Whiteside) Rupert of Wichita, KS and Ruth Whiteside Bledsoe of Wichita, KS; One Son & Daughter-In-Law, George & Violet Whiteside of Valley Center, KS; One Brother, Paul Whiteside of Gilbertsville, KY; One Sister, Eva Marie Smith of Shreveport, LA; 7 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, December 5, 2005, at the Neodesha City Cemetery with Rev. Gene Benefiel of the Buxton Christian Church officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, 10:00 A.M.-Noon. A memorial has been established in his name with the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be sent to the funeral home.