Lester J. Fernung, age 79 – a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2015 with his wife by his side. He was born September 14, 1935 in Elwood, the son of Carl Fernung, Jr. and Rosella (Frazee) Fernung. Lester was a Toolmaker at the Delco-Remy Division of General Motors in Anderson for 42 years, retiring in 1997. He was a 1953 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School, served in the Army National Guard for 6 years, and graduated with a 4-year apprenticeship from General Motors. He married Marlene R. Manis on June 25, 1960, and they recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Lester was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood, the Knights of Columbus, the U.A.W. Local #662, and a former member of the Elwood Elks Lodge #368. Over the years, Lester and Marlene enjoyed traveling both in the U.S. and overseas on several memorable trips. Lester loved his career; was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; and will be greatly missed.


Lester's family includes his wife, Marlene R. Fernung of Elwood; 4 sons, Steve (wife Mary) Fernung of Elwood, Ken (wife Michelle) Fernung of Westfield, Keith (wife Trisha) Fernung of Westfield, and Mark Fernung of Orlando, FL; 5 siblings, David (wife Linda) Fernung of Kokomo, Charles "Chuck" Fernung of Okeechobee, FL, Michael Fernung of Anderson, Arlene (husband Don) Etchison of Greentown, and Margaret (husband Ken) Wardwell of New Albany; 12 grandchildren, Jacinta, Kegan, Conlan, Stephen, Brigid, Colleen, Alyssa, Kaitlyn, Megan, Adam, Lydia, and Walter; sister-in-law, Kathy Fernung of Elwood; and several nieces and nephews. Lester was preceded in death by his parents; son, James Anthony Fernung; brother, Robert Fernung; and beloved granddaughter, Hannah Fernung.


A funeral mass will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at St. Joseph Church in Elwood with Father Dan Duff officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood, and will include a Rosary service at 7:00 PM. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Church. Online condolences to the Fernung family may be made at copherfeslermay.com .