Lester Caldwell

Lester Caldwell of Wappapello, son of the late Grover Alvin and Sylvia Madeline Hyten Caldwell, was born in Puxico, Missouri on June 18, 1944, and passed away at his home in Wappapello, June 8, 2016, at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 22 days. Mr. Caldwell had lived in St. Charles & O'Fallon, Missouri until moving to Wappapello in 2002, after retiring from McDonnell-Douglas Aerospace with 27 years of service. He was an active member of the Duck Creek Baptist Church near Puxico. He enjoyed camping, fishing, dutch oven cooking, deer hunting and traveling. On March 24, 1997 he married Shirley Stevenson Schlater in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Surviving are his wife, Shirley Caldwell of Wappapello; son & wife, Tony & Marsha Caldwell of St. Charles; daughter & husband, Amy & Douglas Rusk of Salem; five grandchildren, Kendra & Malcolm Roach, Jacob & Justin Rusk, Amanda & Charles "C.J." Schlater; three great grandchildren, Bryant, Carson & Natalie Roach. Other relatives and many friends also survive. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Chester Carroll & Jimmie Alvin Caldwell, and one son, Bruce Schlater. Friends may call on Friday, June 10, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Duck Creek Baptist Church near Puxico, Missouri with Rev. Buck Cruse of Puxico officiating. Interment will follow in the Duck Creek Cemetery near Puxico, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Missouri in charge of arrangements.