Lester Eugene Ballew, 77, of Marshall, MO, died on Monday, April 24, 2023, surrounded by family, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO.

Memorial graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2023, at Mt. Carmel Cemetery north of Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.

Born April 9, 1946, in Marshall, MO, he was the son of the late Jesse Ballew and Lucile Finley Ballew. Lester worked for 25 years at the International Shoe Factory until it closed.  He then worked at the Saline County Rest Home.  Upon its closure, he worked for Fitzgibbon Hospital where he was awarded Employee of the Year in 2002.

On September 4, 1966, he married Diana Kay Turner of Marshall.  They later divorced but remained long-time friends.  Lester loved the outdoors, fishing, playing slots, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Lester is survived by his son, Troy Ballew of Marshall, MO; daughters, Melissa Ballew Harper of Marshall, MO and Shannon Ballew Gotmer of Columbia, MO; four grandchildren, Tyler Newell, Tim Newell, Liberty Gotmer and Kolten Gotmer; 6 great-grandkids; Judah, Haven, Mikiah, Aubrey, Addy and Maverick Newell; sister, Margie Gelbach of Marshall, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Lester was preceded in death by his older brothers, Bill and Raymond Tumlinson and Jerry Ballew; and sisters, Patsy Speer, Charlotte McKee, Marie Tumlinson and Shirley Neville.