Lester John Heal

Lester John Heal,March 16, 2005 Lester John Heal, age 85 of Viola, Wis., died on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse. Lester was born on April 30, 1919 to James Bernard (Bun) Heal and Alice (Pugh) Heal in the town of Kickapoo, Vernon County Wisconsin. He attended Sugar Grove Elementary School and graduated from Viola High School in 1938. He received his two year teaching certificate from Vernon County Normal School in 1940 and taught grades one through eight at the Kickapoo Center School for 2 years. He married his high school classmate, Doris Glee Griffin on May 15, 1942. They lived on the family farm until he entered the military and served in the Army, 44th Infantry Division, Company B, 119th Medical Battalion in France and Germany. He attained the rank of 1st Sergeant and was discharged on Nov. 20, 1945. Lester and Doris had two children, Lana and Dana. Doris preceded Lester in death on July 31, 1953. Lester married Elva (White) Eddy on May 29, 1959. Elva adopted Lana and Dana. She preceded Lester in death on March 4, 2005. After managing Nuzum Lumber Co. Viola for 43 years, Lester remained a director and stockholder until the company was sold. Lester was a member of the Viola United Methodist Church for many years serving on numerous committees, often lending his carpentry skills for church improvements. He was a charter member of Hamilton-Harris Post 447 of the Viola American Legion. He served the community on the school board, the Lions Club, and the volunteer fire department. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris; his wife, Elva; his brothers: Denver and Edward; his sisters: Gladys (Claren) Drake and Helen (Otto) Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Lana (William) Wheeler of Richland Center and son, Dana (Sherry) Heal of Watertown, WI; grandchildren: Molly (Steve) LeGrave of Luxemburg, WI, Matt Wheeler of Savage, MN, Jamey Heal of Coralville, IA, Mandy (Jim) Sheriff of Monmouth, IL, and Jenny Heal of Waunakee, WI; one great-granddaughter, Leah Sheriff; one sister, Bonnie (Carlyle) Sherry of Viroqua and many nieces and nephews.Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home Viroqua, Wisconsin