Lester Cornett, 85, of Valparaiso, formerly of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus.

He was born April 6, 1923 in Gary, the son of Archibald and Florence (Ponder) Cornett and was raised by his aunt and uncle, Hazel and Bradley Ponder.

On October 25, 1946 he married Marion Lois McKnight who preceded him in death in 2006.

Survivors include their five children, Theresa “Terri” Hardt of Valparaiso; Cathy Cornett of Houston, Texas; Ron (Theresa) Cornett of Houston, Texas; Cindy (Terry) Barton of Huntington, Ind.; Shirlee (Dave) Reeves of Huntington, Ind.; sister, Betty (Jack) Blossom of Chesterton; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

He was also preceded in death by one grandson, David Hardt-Robuck; son-in-law, Charles Hardt; seven brothers, Delbert, Earl, Elmer and Virgil Cornett, Clarence, William and Everett Truett and onr sister, Ethelyene Hershey.

Lester graduated from Hobart High School, served with the U.S. Army during WW II in the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea and Japan and then worked as a carpenter for Carpenters Local #1005 for over 40 years. He was an active member of Hobart First Church of the Nazarene where he served in numerous and varied capacities and served as a volunteer for the Porter Memorial Hospital Guild with his wife.

A funeral service, Rev. Gerald Walworth officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at Hobart First Church of the Nazarene, with burial to follow at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso.

Visitation will be from 4 – 8 p.m. Wednesday at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso. Memorials may be made to the VNA of Porter County or Porter Hospital Guild. MoellerFuneralHome.com

Posted 10/15/2008