June Wester

Mrs. June K. Wester, 87, Piney Woods Drive, Americus, died shortly after noon on Sunday, August 16, 2009. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, in the Lee Street United Methodist Church in Americus, with interment to follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Stubbs Cemetery in Wilcox County. The Rev. Matthew Stewart will officiate. Born May 6, 1922, in Oshkosh, WI, Mrs. Wester was a daughter of the late Herbert Edwin Koch and Edna Hildebrandt Koch. She served as an elementary school teacher in several school systems, retiring from the Marion County System. She was an accomplished musician and served as the organist or pianist for many groups, including Lee Street United Church, Magnolia Manor and Perfect Care Retirement home services. She was an active member of Lee Street United Methodist Church and the women’s organizations of the church. She was a talented artist, teaching knitting and crocheting classes at Magnolia Manor. She contributed hand-made items for sale every time her church held bazaars. Mrs. Wester was previously very active in the order of the Eastern Star and was one of the organizers of the local chapter of the Red Hat Society. The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19. In lieu of flowers, family members suggest memorial contributions to the church or charity of one’s choice. Survivors include a son, Edward Earl Wester of Auburn, AL; a sister, Joyce Phillips of Roseville, CA; and grandchildren Christen and William Wilborn and Ryan Cooper, all of Columbus, GA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward M. Wester and her daughter, Kathy Jo Cooper. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street, is in charge of arrangements.