Lester "Leon" Sharper

Lester “Leon” Sharper, 92, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, formerly of Limestone, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, Missouri. He was born November 26, 1932, in Lincoln, Illinois. Mr. Sharper was orphaned at birth, and at the age of 11, was placed in the Andover Children’s Orphanage located in Andover, IL. It was there that he learned how to farm, care for livestock, and the skills to succeed in life. He was a kind and humble man with unprecedented work ethic. On August 9, 1953, he married the love of his life, Betty Ann Wendling at Zion Lutheran Church, Bonfield, Illinois and they enjoyed 67 years together. His wife and his family were his pride and joy. Mr. Sharper and his wife owned the “B & L” Drive in Restaurant in Manteno. He also farmed in rural Clifton from 1960 to 1968 and retired from Comed Collins Station. Leon was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Bonfield and then Christ The King Lutheran Church, Lake Ozark, Missouri. Mr. Sharper was one of the founders of the DeSoto Club of Illinois. Leon is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marla and Ken Miller of Sunrise Beach, MO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray (Toni) Wendling of Vero Beach, FL, Eldon Wendling of Kankakee; Doreen Wendling of Peoria, IL, Sharon (Ben) Metcalf of Dripping Springs, TX, Fred (Sharon) Wendling of Bonfield, IL, and Linda (Barry) Gadbois of Bourbonnais; grandchildren, Shawn (Tammy) Miller of Paducah, KY, Sarah Miller of Dunnellon, FL, Matthew (Betty) Diefenbach of Flora, IL, Jeremy (Brandi Coveyou) Stell of Kankakee, IL, and Justin (Kylee) Stell of Camdenton, MO; great grandchildren, Tiffany (Deke) Reynolds of Paducah, KY, Zachary (Elle) Craig of Lawrenceburg, TN, Ashton (Dallas) Wooden of Mt.Vernon, IL, Trevor Craig of Paducah, KY, Alec Craig of Kuttawa,KY, Spencer (Sami) Miller of Castle Rock, CO, Caitlyn (Nick) Klanke of Clay City, IL, Olivia Stell of Camdenton, MO, Carter Stell of Limestone/Manteno, IL, Zoey Coveyou of Limestone/Manteno, IL, Landyn and Aidyn Coveyou of Tampa, FL; great great grandchildren, Lucas & Garrett Reynolds, Daxx Craig, Dameon, Draegan, & Max Wooden, Noah & Chloe Hewkin, Brilee & Azarrah Craig, Aiden Craig, Holden, Barrett & Colter Klanke; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ann; mother-in-law, Florence Wendling; brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard (Mae) Sharper, Elmer (Doris) Sharper, Richard (Mary) Lou Ness; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Elmer (Mildred) Wendling, Clarence (Delma) Wendling, Phyllis Lockwood, Harold (Arlene) Wendling; nephews and nieces, Dean Sharper, Richard, Randy, & Bonnie Wendling; Richard Ness Jr.; great nephew & niece, Jarod Gossage and Haley Wendling; and great great grandson, Caleb Klanke. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Bonfield, IL with Pastor Dwight Wyeth officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bonfield. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Social Services or Central Missouri Youth Foster Program (CCYP), which provides resources to 17 – 26-year-olds as they age out of Foster Care to enable them to become independent adults, memorial gifts will be collected at the funeral services. Thank you.

Lester "Leon" Sharper

November 26, 1932 - November 2, 2025