Lester J. Kooman

Lester J. Kooman, age 73, of Onaway, died unexpectedly on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.
Born in Detroit on July 21, 1952, Lester was the son of Louis and Maxine (Lanford) Kooman. When Lester was eight years old, his mother married Donald Wiltshire. Their family made a home with Don at the Wiltshire Farm, just west of Onaway. In 1962, when Lester was only ten years old, his mother died. Lester stayed with Don to be raised in Onaway where he graduated from Onaway High School in the class of 1971. Don eventually married again, giving Lester a stepmother, Adeline (Rieger), a stepbrother, Mark, and stepsister, Raye. After forty years, Lester reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Emma Marie Morell. They married at the family cabin at Black Lake in 2014.
Lester went on to join the Air Force after high school, however, he only served a short time before being medically discharged due to an injury. Proud and patriotic, he was a member of the Onaway VFW Men's Auxiliary. Throughout his life Lester worked various jobs, most recently he worked maintaining the Awaken Park in Onaway. Through the years he lived in Detroit, California, and Mackinac Island, however, Onaway and the Wiltshire Farm were always in his heart. Friendly, kind, and considerate, Lester was well-known in the community. When he was out and about, he always stopped to chat and had a cheerful smile for everyone. He enjoyed people watching, feeding the birds, and watching scary movies. He spent a lot of time on his computer researching topics that interested him and connecting with friends on Facebook.
Lester is survived by his wife, Emma, of Onaway; nieces, Rayette, Janette, and Dawn; stepchildren, Melissa (John) Schindler of Maryland, Tomekia Leonard (Tom) of Flint, and Joshua Wise of Cheboygan; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; as well as his stepbrother, Mark (Mary) Heller. Lester was preceded in death by his sister, Jean; stepfather, Don Wiltshire; stepmother, Adeline Wiltshire; stepsister, Raye McMurray; his mother, Maxine; and his father, Louis.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday August 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM at Joy Community Church. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a contribution to his family to help with final expenses.