Harold Kesterson

Harold Jesse Kesterson, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, at Ratliff Care Center.

He was born April 19, 1925, in Cape Girardeau to Jessie Edward and Alice Lee Parker Kesterson. He and Sarah Eggers were married Jan. 27, 1947, at Cape Girardeau. She preceded him in death Dec. 26, 1979. He later married Marjorie Odom Smiley on Sept. 17, 1982. She preceded him in death Oct. 5, 2019.

Harold served in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3838.

He was employed by the Cape Girardeau School District until his retirement.

He was a member of Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church.

Survivors include his stepdaughters, Beverly (Dale) Ratliff, Sheila Wheeler and Teresa (Michael) Ratliff, all of Cape Girardeau; stepson, Butch (Karen) Smiley of Jackson; stepgrandchildren, Amanda (Christopher) Poston, Melissa (Joel) Lewis, Carissa (Dillon) Halbert, Andrew (Leslie) Ratliff, Caylee Wheeler and Clayton (Jordan) Ratliff; great-stepgrandchildren, Sadie, Tessa, Rhett and Ian Poston, McKenna Ratliff, Eli Lewis and Jameson and Oliver Halbert; and nephews, John (Sena) Odom of Scott City and Doug (Karri) Kesterson of Cape Girardeau.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Sarah Kesterson and Marjorie Kesterson; brothers, Wilbur "Bun" Kesterson and Paul Kesterson Sr.; and sisters, Wilma Jean McKinney and Wanda Probst.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will follow at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Pringle officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to Teen Challenge Mid-America.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.