Lester E. Kinney

Lester Kinney, age 84, of Council Bluffs went to his heavenly home on May 9. He was born on March 21, 1930, in Council Bluffs, grew up in the Lake Manawa area, and served in the Army Reserves for nine years. During his lifetime, he had many professions including soda jerk, golf caddie, auto parts dealer, and plumbers assistant. By the age of 18, he owned his own gas station. In addition to farming, he worked as a U.P. carman for 38 years. Les served as an elder at the McPherson Ave. Church of Christ. He was also on the York College Advisory Board and the Bluffs U.P. Credit Union Board. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Lorna Parker Kinney; his parents, Lindsey and Pearl Kinney; his sister, Doris; and his brothers, Harold and Norman. Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Donna Smith Kinney; children, Tom (Valerie) Kinney, of Scarborough, Maine; Andrea (Bill) Leinen, Lori (David) Seilstad, and Troy (Caronna) Kinney, all of Council Bluffs; step-children, Sheila (Greg) Sprinkle, of Council Bluffs, Carol Christensen, Richardson, Texas, Chris Smith, of Omaha, and Rhonda (Greg) Gillespie, of Overland Park, Kansas; 16 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, and 1 step-great grand, many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Visitation is Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Christ 1525 McPherson Ave in Council Bluffs followed by interment is in the Garner Township Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Church of Christ.