Lester A. Neutzling, 82, of Red Bud, died Dec. 14, 2023, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville. 

He was born to the late Lester A. Sr. and Lorene (nee Bunn) Neutzling, on Dec. 21, 1940, in Belleville.

Lester married Joyce A. Blanquart on Feb. 6, 1962, at Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville; she preceded him in death on June 18, 2023.

He had worked at Veile Construction Company as a cement mason and later became a jobsite superintendent.  Lester was a member of Local 90 Masons in East St Louis. 

Lester was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud. He was a life member of the Moose Lodge 1221 in Swansea and at one time held the position of vice president for the Jaycee’s in Belleville.  He was one of the founding members of the Kaskaskia River Coalition.  

Lester enjoyed the outdoors and spent a lot of time hunting and fishing.  He treated every weekend as a vacation.  He enjoyed making steak and eggs for his clubhouse pals over an open flame and frying fish for his annual fish fry’s.  His “happy place” was the river.  He spent his early adult hood and later years playing pool with life-long friends.  He would never pass up the opportunity to help a friend or family. Lester’s reputation was one of honesty, loyalty and integrity.  He gained the respect by those who knew him and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his children Carrie McDonnal of Collinsville, Patricia (William) Ruth of Clarksville, Tenn., and Kurt Neutzling of Belleville; grandchildren Christopher (Jennifer) McDonnal, Heather (Christopher) Collier, Tiffany McDonnal, Jeremy McDonnal, Derek Ruth and Cody Ruth; great-grandchildren Ryan, Liora and Abigail Collier; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by his sister Lorene “Pat” (Jerry) Williams.

Visitation is 9-11 a.m. Jan. 6 at Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud.

A memorial service will follow at the funeral home with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating.

Inurnment will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Red Bud.

Memorials may be made to donor’s choice.