Lester Parola

LESTER PAROLA Herrin-Lester Parola, 81, died 4:54 A.M. on Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at the VA Nursing Home in Marion. Mr. Parola was born November 27, 1919 in Herrin to Enrico "Henry" & Katherine (LaBotte) Parola. He married Mae Switzer in 1952 she preceded him in death in 1969. He then married Rose Garcia on June 20, 1970. She survives. He was retired as a section foreman with CB & Q Railroad. He was a life member of the Herrin VFW, Eagles and American Legion. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1939 to 1945. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor and he was aboard the carrier U.S.S. Lexington when it sank during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He came home aboard the U.S. Missouri. He was quoted as saying. "I was there for the beginning and the end." He is survived by: Daughter: Judy Foster & husband Charles of Herrin Step Son: Ed Bell of Seattle, WA. Four Grandchildren: Charles & Lisa Foster, Jr. of Memphis, TN. Monica& Mark Justice of Houston, TX.. Lora White of Lenzburg, IL Melanie Norris of Herrin, IL. Six Great Grandchildren Two Brothers: Ramo Parola & wife Bille of Fresno, CA. Gene Parola & wife Shirley of Ann Arbor, MI. Several Nieces & nephews also survive. Fishing pal & cousin Jack Henderson of Herrin He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, one sister Josephine Parola and four brothers, Virgil, Henry, Clifford, and Brooks Parola. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 12, 2001 at the Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home with the Rev. Brad Harlow officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Gardens with military graveside rites by the Herrin American Legion and VFW Post. Friends may call at Johnson Hughes Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday. Memorial may be made to National WW II Memorial.