Lester Leon Arens, 87, of rural Martinsburg, passed away at 9:50 a.m., Sunday, January 22, 2017 at Golden Living Center/Gamma Road Lodge in Wellsville.

Mr. Arens was born July 19, 1929, in Mexico, Missouri, a son of Lawrence Joseph and Leona Marie (Fennewald) Arens.

Lester served his country in the United States Air Force, during the Korean War, entering on March 1, 1951 and being honorably discharged on October 1, 1952. He traveled with the Central Missouri Honor Flight on September 3, 2014 to see the Korean War Monument in Washington D.C.

On June 14, 1958 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana, Missouri, he married Mary Ruth Ocheltree, sharing over 58 years together. Lester and Mary have lived on their farm in rural Martinsburg for over 50 years.

Lester was a grain and livestock farmer. For many years, Lester and his son, Ronnie, farmed together and was later joined by grandsons, Jeff and Brian Arens. Lester was Vice-President of Martinsburg Mutual Insurance Company and was an agent for 30 years. He was also an agent for Crop Insurance for many years, through Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance, Columbia Mutual Insurance Company and Federal Crop Insurance Company.

He was a former commander and member of American Legion Post 552 in Martinsburg as well as a member of Knights of Columbus Council Local No. 1270 in Martinsburg.

Lester loved going to the casino and playing cards. He also enjoyed going boating. Lester loved Cardinal baseball.

Lester is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Arens, of the home in rural Martinsburg; children, Linda Sue and Greg Presley, of Moscow Mills, Ronald Joseph Arens, of Martinsburg, Lisa Marie and Gary Eisenbath of St. Charles and Libby Ann and Steve Pfaff, of Ballwin; ten grandchildren, Michelle Presley and Jimmy Brimmer, of Moscow Mills, Danielle and Jonathan Hollrah, of O'Fallon, Jeffrey and Christy Arens, of Laddonia, Brian Arens and fiancée, Ashley Curtis, of Mexico, Lauren and Seth Cooper, of Kansas City, Melissa Eisenbath, of Blue Springs, Janelle Eisenbath and Hunter Eisenbath, of St. Charles and Parker Pfaff and Austin Pfaff, of Ballwin; eight great-grandchildren, Madison, Alyssa and Colton Brimmer, of Moscow Mills, Kaytlynn and Ryan Arens of Laddonia, Victoria Hollrah, of O'Fallon and Braum and Logan Cooper, of Kansas City; sisters and brothers-in-law, Eunice Welschmeyer, of Martinsburg, Marian and Tom Fipps, of the State of Texas, Mildred "Millie" & E.J. Saunders, of Creve Coeur, brothers and sisters-in-law, Noel and Margie Arens, of the State of Texas and Gene and Sandy Arens, of Harrisburg and brothers-in-law, Joe Stuckenschneider, of Martinsburg and Jerry Robinson, of Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Natalie J. Robinson and Adele Marie Stuckenschneider and brother-in-law, Steve Welschmeyer.

A Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Martinsburg. Father Joseph Abah, Father Bill Debo and Deacon Ron Deimeke officiated. Serving as organist was Palmyra Dubbert. Cantor was Jan Schafer.

Burial was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, south of Martinsburg. Serving as pallbearers were his grandsons, Brian Arens, Jeffrey Arens, Hunter Eisenbath, Austin Pfaff and Parker Pfaff and grandson-in-law, Jonathan Hollrah.

Full Military Honors were provided by American Legion Post 552. Missouri Military Funeral Honors "Air Force" folded and presented the U.S. Flag to his wife, Mary.

Visitation was held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Martinsburg.

Services were under the direction of the Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville.

Memorial contributions were suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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