Leslie Wayne “Les” Garner, 92, of the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, MO, and a native of Rockport, IL, passed away Saturday afternoon (12-27-25) at the veteran’s home.
Les was born April 9, 1933 in Rockport, IL, a son of Leslie E. and Laveta Fuerstenau Garner. He married Laura Mae Ward on October 10, 1952 in Pocahontas, AR and Laura preceded him in death on August 24, 2012.
Les was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. Following his discharge from the Army in 1955, Les began a long and distinguished career with the McDonnell Douglas Company in St. Louis, MO before retiring in 1988. In his retirement years Les enjoyed traveling, woodworking, fishing, gardening and just “piddling” around in the house and outdoors usually with his canine companion, “Shorty” by his side.
Les was a longtime avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include a daughter, Diane Cooper of Troy, MO, a grandson, Dustin (Jan) Garner of Perry, MO and two great grandsons, Easton and Wyatt and numerous nieces and nephews.
Les was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Laura, two sons, Chuck Garner and Rick Garner and five sisters, Jeanette Doran, Edna Hoaglin, Dorothy Smith, Shirley Morrow and Brenda Wankel.
Funeral services will be held Friday (1-2-26) at 12 Noon at the Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill. Burial, with military honors, will follow at the Samuel Taylor Cemetery near Rockport, IL. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to the Samuel Taylor Cemetery mowing fund.
Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, IL is handling the arrangements.
