Lester Earl Bingham, 71, died Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at his home in Springfield after a year-long battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma skin cancer.

Lester graduated top of his class in 1965. After being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, Lester accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. While in the military, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. After returning home, he married Kathryn M. Choate on Feb. 28, 1970, and in that union was born his three children.

He later married Joyce Weiss on Jan. 11, 1995, and they were married until Joyce's death Feb. 22, 2016.

Lester worked hard his entire life. He was a man of many trades, all of which he was excellent at. He got his degree as a respiratory therapist, a job he loved until he had to retire in 2006.

He enjoyed woodworking, cutting wood, picking up walnuts, tinkering on automobiles, quilting, and the list goes on and on. He loved his family and he loved life. He was always up for a great conversation whether he knew you or not.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David "Bud" E. and Ida Bingham; his wife, Joyce Weiss-Bingham; four brothers, David and wife Kay, Joe, Richard and baby boy Bingham; three sisters, Flora Mae White and husband Jess, Helen Weatherford and husband Leon and Kelly Bingham; one granddaughter, Kelsie Bingham; and one brother-in-law, Randy Harrington.

He is survived by his three children, Randall Bingham and wife Toni, Pamela Bowers and husband Peter and Wesley Bingham; five grandchildren, Eli, Emma, Skyler, Gloria and Brooke Bingham; four stepchildren, Libby Nieves and husband Jose, Laurie Weiss, Lindsay Gonzales and husband Raymond and Levi Weiss; six step-grandchildren, Ely, Lucas and Daniel Nieves and Drew, Vivaka and Tristan Weiss; two brothers, Charlie and Gary Bingham and wife Patty; six sisters, Mary Reeves and husband Price, Wanda Murello, Beverly Harrington, Frances Sanders, Donna Lott and husband Paul, Julia Gunn and husband Jim; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Graveside service is at 10 a.m. Friday, April 13, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. The family gratefully declines flowers and donations, but prayers, condolences and memories are glady accepted at gormanscharpf.com .