Lester Earl Cates, age 94, went to be with Jesus, Sunday, September 18, 2022, at home in Marion, Indiana, surrounded by his family. Lester lived and farmed in Grant County all his life. He loved God, his family, farming, and his church family. He was born on June 8, 1928, to the late Charles and Ethel (Powell) Cates. Lester married the love of his life Georgeanna (Myers) Cates on October 31, 1948. They were married 68 years before she preceded him in death on December 25, 2016. He was a member of Mount Olive United Methodist Church, where he was very active. He was a member of the Advanced Agriculture Farm Club, Franklin Township. He had also served on the board of the Grant County Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Co-op, Federal Land Bank, Marion General Hospital from 1985-1990, and First Farmers Bank and Trust from 1990-1999. He enjoyed all the wonderful friendships he developed during these commitments. Lester was truly interested in people and was always there with words of encouragement.

Lester is survived by his son, Wendell (Bonnie) Cates, Marion; three daughters, Donna (Greg) Kingseed, Greentown; Christine (Rick) Sheeks, Noblesville; and Jan (Glenn) Mann, Marion; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Hutchens, Marion; 13 grandchildren, Jamie (Adam) Westgate, Jody (Patric) Dunham, Kevin (Jamie) Cates, Doug (Whitney) Kingseed, Bethany (Kent) Gremel, Leslie Kingseed, Kelsey Bylsma, Brandon (Bethany) Tinkel, Brent (Stephanie) Tinkel, Brad (Shea) Tinkel, Brittany (Kody) Archer, Carmen (Chris) Lynch, and David Mann; 30 great-grandchildren; and a very dear friend and companion Mary Burnett.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Georgeanna (Myers) Cates; daughter, Linda Cates; parents, Charles and Ethel (Powell) Cates; 6 brothers, Clarence Cates; Russell Cates; Charles Cates; Robert Cates; Arthur Cates; and Jesse Cates; 3 sisters, Velma Wolfe; Waneta Collins; and Mary Cook; and 2 great-grandchildren, Bryna Gremel; and Carson Burtner.

Arrangements for Lester have been entrusted to College Park Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4601 South Western Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46953. All services will be held at Mount Olive United Methodist Church, 2015 N. 300 W. Marion, Indiana 46952. On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the family will have a visitation from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. On Thursday, September 22, 2022, there will be a visitation from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 am, with Doug Barton and Mitch Norwood officiating. Interment will follow at Grant Memorial Park, Marion, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Lester to Mount Olive United Methodist Church.
Online memories and condolences may be left at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com
The family would like to thank all who have helped care for Lester, especially Liz Miller, Emma Bontrager, Kathy Johnson, and the staff at Heart-to-Heart Hospice. They would also like to thank Doug Barton and Mitch Norwood for all their kindness and comfort. They could not have kept him at home without all of your wonderful care and prayers.