SOUTH WHITLEY — Della E. Lesley, 99, formerly of South Whitley, died at 12:20 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City, where she had been a resident several years.
She was born Sept. 30, 1917, in West Prestonsburg, Ky., a daughter of Ben and Jane Hackworth England. Her formative years were spent in West Prestonsburg and she completed her education at Dotson School.
In 1944 she moved to Warsaw, where she worked at the Jomac glove factory.
On June 23, 1948, she was united in marriage to George Washington Lesley. They made their home in South Whitley, moving to California in 1951 and then Tunker in 1952. In 1970 they returned to South Whitley. Mr. Lesley died May 13, 1973.
She was a member of Eagles 1906 Auxiliary.
Surviving relatives include a son, Dave William Ferguson, Columbia City.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a stepson, Kenneth Eugene Lesley; a stepdaughter, Emogene Coolman Cearbaugh; five brothers: Charlie, George, Fred, Adam and Grover Mae England; and three sisters: Sally England, Fannie Hurd and Stella Thortmartin.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
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Memorials to the Humane Society of Whitley County.
Condolences may be sent at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
