Lester Ray Hesseltine

Lester was born June 17, 1930 in Oskalosa, IA. He grew up in the Des Moines, IA area, and went to Johnston High School. He loved and played football.

Lester met Doris at a wrestling meet in Des Moines, and in 1949, they eloped to Bethany, MO. When they got home, Doris still lived at home for a while until the secret came out. They had three kids, Jeri Marie, Dennis Ray, and David Lee.

Lester got a job driving a truck for Bruce Motor Freight. The family lived next to his parents Fred and Erma Hesseltine. Lester and Fred were pretty good buddies until one night they were watching a ball game and drinking some beer. The game was over so Lester got up to change the channels to see what else was on (no remote in those days). He came across a channel that had Bill Graham on it. Lester teased and said something like “I’ve heard of this guy, let see what he has to say” Fred did not want to watch but Lester won that argument.

After a while, Billy gave an Alter call. All Lester remembers is folding his hands and accepting Christ as his personal savior. Fred was so mad, he did not want anything to do with Lester and his family for about 4 years.

They lived in an area close to Meredith Drive. They started going to Meredith Drive Reformed Church. Lester and Doris were very involved with the church, so that happened to make the kids also involved in the church.

After some time, just being involved was not enough and Lester felt a calling to be a minister. An opportunity came up that a little town called Commerce in West Des Moines, IA had a need for a minister. A group of people got together and purchased the church there for $1.00 and they called it Commerce Community Church, and Lester was the minister. Lester took it on faith that the Lord would provide and he quit driving a truck for a living.

He was at Commerce for about 10 years. Again he decided he wanted to grow in his ministry so he contacted the Methodist church and they hired him with the understanding he had to go get some higher religious training. He went to Faith Baptist College in Ankeny and also had to do one month in Chicago. He was not a very good student in high school and he really worked hard at his college classes.

Lester started his Methodist carrier in Mingo. Some of the other places he preached were Lennox, Adair, Kingsley and finally ended up in De Soto. Lester retired in Adel. Doris was a big part of his ministry and when Lester retired, Doris really missed the people and the fellowship. The last church they attended was the Methodist Church in Adel.

Lester is survived by his three children, Jeri (Robert) Lewis of Pleasant Hill, IA, Dennis (Rita) Hesseltine of Adel, IA, David Hesseltine of Ecuador, 4 grandchildren: Mark, Lisa, Adam, Rachel, 8 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Doris Hesseltine, parents, granddaughter, Tara Hesseltine, brothers and sisters.

A visitation will be 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M., Friday, November 7, 2025 at New Hope Church in Adel, IA. The family respectfully asks for no flowers or memorial contributions, per Lester’s request. Online condolences may be sent to www.caldwellparrish.com