Leona Kester

Leona Dell Kester, a beacon of unwavering faith and boundless generosity, was called to her heavenly home on August 28, 2025, at the venerable age of 91. Born on March 8, 1934, to the late William Bowen and Clemma Mae (Peyton) Long, in the humble town of Campton, Kentucky, Leona's journey through life was a testament to the virtues of selflessness and devotion.
At home in Bolingbrook, Illinois Leona drew her last breath, her heart having poured out every ounce of love it could muster, finally succumbing to congestive heart failure. Yet, even in her departure, she leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness that will continue to flourish in the hearts of all who knew her.
Leona's life was a beautiful tapestry woven with the threads of her passion for gardening, quilting, sewing, canning, and an unwavering dedication to reading the Bible. Her hands, always busy, worked the soil and fabric with the same tenderness with which she cultivated her faith and cared for her family. She was the loving matriarch to a family that revered her as much for her nurturing spirit as for her deep-rooted Christian values.
Her grandchildren--Abigail, Andrew, Jeremy, Josiah, Joel, and Jenna--were her greatest blessings, the fruits of her lifelong labor of love, and the living proof of her steadfast commitment to family and God. Leona's journey was not one of solitary faith; she was a cornerstone of her Christian community, inspiring those around her with her unwavering conviction and the light of her spirit. Her life was a sermon of actions, speaking louder than words could ever convey. She embodied the very essence of what it means to live a life in service to others, her generosity a wellspring that never ran dry.
To describe Leona as faith-filled is to acknowledge the depth of her relationship with her Creator. She walked in His footsteps with every step, her path illuminated by the scripture she so adored. Her generosity knew no bounds, touching lives far beyond her immediate circle, and her selflessness was the hallmark of her character, always putting others before herself.
As we bid farewell to Leona Dell Kester, let us not dwell in the shadows of sorrow but instead celebrate the brilliant light she has left behind. She has now joined the heavenly choir, her voice a melodious addition to the celestial symphony. We take solace in knowing that her legacy of love, faith, and charity will continue to guide us, and her memory will be cherished in the eternal garden she now tends alongside the angels. In the fullness of time, we shall all meet again on the golden shores of eternity, where Leona will welcome us with open arms and a heart as expansive as the heavens.
Until then, let us honor her memory by living each day with the same compassion, grace, and unwavering faith that she exemplified. Leona Dell Kester, a true servant of God, leaves this world a richer place.
Leona is survived by three daughters; Ruth Kester of Bolingbrook, IL, Rita and Brad Johnson of Bolingbrook, IL, and Janet and Doug Johnson of Zionsville, PA; six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Ray Kester, on September 27, 2000.
Visitation, Saturday, September 6, 2025, 9:00AM to 10:30AM at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, Illinois.
Funeral, Saturday, September 6, 2025, 10:30AM Service and Time of Remembrance to be held at the funeral home.
Interment, Fairmount-Willow Hills Cemetery, Willow Springs, Illinois.