Lester E. Shearer

Lester E. Shearer, 87, of Frankfort, KS, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the Frankfort Community Care Home. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 26, at the United Methodist Church in Frankfort. Rev Norma Jeane Miller officiated. Janet Plegge played the organ while the congregation sang "Marching to Zion", "It is Well With My Soul", and "Hymn of Promise." The pallbearers were Chad Shearer, Bred Roeder, Andrew Shearer, John Shearer, Phillip Robinson, Bob Tilley, Keith Tilley and Mike Smith. Burial was in the Frankfort City Cemetery. Lester was born July 31, 1924 on a farm north of Frankfort, the son of Edwin and Maye (Forsman) Shearer. He attended grade school at the Osborne country school and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1942. After graduation he worked for the federal Agricultural Administration Agency (AAA ) in Manhattan, KS. From 1943 to 1946, Les served in U.S. Army 79th Division, 314th Regiment during World War II. He was deployed to Normandy, France and entered Utah Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. He spent 114 consecutive days on front line duty. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After he returned home, he worked again for the AAA office and soon started a local business Shearer’s Recreation Parlor with his brother Everett. In 1949 he became a Clerk at the Frankfort Post Office where he served until 1972 when he was reassigned to the Post Office in Topeka, KS. Later that year he was appointed Postmaster of Olsburg, KS. Les returned to the Frankfort Post Office in 1974 where he served as Postmaster and simultaneously served as Acting Postmaster at Seneca in 1976. After dedicating his career to the Federal Postal Service from 1949-1983, Les retired from the Frankfort Post Office. On April 20, 1948 he married Lorene I. Keller of Frankfort, at the home place in Blaine, KS. Two children were born to this union a son, Stanley Edwin and a daughter, Cynthia Susan. Les was an active member of the United Methodist Church and a loyal member of the National Association of Postmasters and Kansas Retired Postmasters. He was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post #181 where he served as Commander and was a long standing member of the Rotary Club and served as past President. Les was an optimistic easy going “people person”. He loved his family, people and life. An avid sports enthusiast, Les refereed basketball and coached baseball for years. He loved working with children and spent many years coaching pee-wee, midget, pony and American Legion baseball teams. After retirement he spent many years driving the school bus where he enjoyed seeing the kids grow up. His hobbies included woodworking, playing cards, golfing, going to coffee , feeding the birds and squirrels and working on his lawn and flowers. He really enjoyed playing golf with his son and grandsons. Lester was preceded in death by his parents; and four siblings, John Shearer, Louise Fox, Mae Robinson, Faye Tilley; and infant great-granddaughter, Emma Drew Shearer. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorene, Frankfort; son, Stan (Patti) Shearer, Canfield, OH; daughter, Cindy (Mark) Ahearn, Wills Point, TX; three grandsons and one granddaughter, Chad Shearer, Caddo Mills, TX, Andrew and Amiee Shearer, Olathe, KS, Brad and Catherine Roeder, Chevy Chase, Maryland and Megan Ahearn, Austin, TX; eight great-grandchildren, Steffen and Brooks Shearer, Gavin, Bennett and Maren Shearer and Ella, Milly and Daisy Roeder; brother, Everett “Abbie” Shearer, Frankfort; several nieces and nephews. A memorial fund has been established to the United Methodist Church of Frankfort, the Frankfort Municipal Swimming Pool, or Frankfort American Legion Post #181. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lester E. Shearer, please visit our flower store.