Lester Maevers, 86, of Jackson passed away Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
The youngest of five siblings, Lester was born Sept. 7, 1935, in Tilsit, to August and Amanda Nagel Maevers. He and Ruth Ann Hartle were married Jan. 12, 1958, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. They were blessed with three sons who left a legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
At an early age, Lester started working at Schapers IGA Store. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1953 and continued to work in the grocery business. During his many years as a grocer, he became owner of Schapers IGA and several Save-A-Lot Stores in the area. Lester served on many boards in the Missouri Grocer’s Association and was president in 1989. In 2002, he was inducted into the Missouri Grocer’s Association Hall of Fame.
In Lester’s efforts to continue to serve the community, in 1992, he and his family established Main Street Fitness, now known as Southeast HealthPoint Fitness.
Lester was retired military, having served 24 years in the Missouri National Guard. He retired a 1st Sergeant and was Mess Sergeant for many years. He was an active member of the Jackson Optimist Club where he was a long-time chairman of the Home-comer’s Food Stand. He received many awards and accolations from various organizations in the community; he was an honorary member of the FFA at Jackson High School; he received the revered Peerman Award from the Jackson Heritage Association and the prestigious R.A. Fulenwider Award from the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
In 2004, Lester and Ruth started attending the Jackson Senior Center with Ruth’s father, Rusby Hartle. Both became volunteers and Lester was elected to the Board of Directors. Over the next few years, plans were made for the construction of a new building for the center. During the construction and subsequent years, the Maevers were passionate supporters of the Jackson Senior Center, where Lester became a member of the Foundation Board and also the Nutrition Board, having served as president of both boards over the past years.
Loving survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Maevers of Jackson; three sons, Tim (Lori) Maevers of Jackson, Jim (Deb) Maevers of Cape Girardeau, and Kenny (Jane) Maevers of Sedgewickville; seven grandchildren, Kyleigh (Anthony) Baliva, Landon (Jessica) Maevers, Trey (Catherine) Maevers, Hailey (John) Bradley, Ashton “AJ” (Heather) Maevers, Shayna (Steve) Struble and Kim Maevers; and a step-grandson, Nick (Karen) Dequaine.
Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren: Vincent and Michael Baliva, Logan and Maddie Maevers, Liam and Everett Maevers, Ellie, Maggie, and Caroline Bradley, Emily Maevers, Felicity Maevers, Millie Struble, Evelyn Struble; and four step-great-grandchildren, Collin and Caleb Hitt, Audrey and Gavin Dequaine.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Norman Maevers and Arlen Maevers; and two sisters, Mildred Lohman and Jerlene Hutteger.
A memorial visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
The Rev. Joshua Schmidt officiated a memorial service at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at the funeral home, immediately followed by military honors.
The family suggests that contributions be made to the Jackson Senior Center or St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Lester’s personal obituary page at mccombsfuneralhome.com.
