Lester “Gene” Eugene Wells, 99, of Cantril passed away at 9:55P.M. Wednesday June 2, 2021 at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. Funeral service will be at 11 A.M. Saturday June 5, 2021 at Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with Kevin Mote officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 A.M. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors by Russell – Strait Post No. 483 American Legion will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Cantril. Memorials to Avenue of Flags may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 45, Cantril, IA 52542.
Gene was born November 27, 1921 in Cantril to Lester M. and Freda Warner Wells. He graduated from Cantril High Scholl in the class of 1939. After graduation Gene worked in a hotel in Waterloo where he heard on the radio about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He joined the Air Force and was a member of a crew flying a B-26 during WWII. After the war he moved to California where he helped run the family gas station. After the station closed, he started working for Paramount Studio as a Set Builder. On March 11, 1961, Gene married Jackie and they were married 41 years until her death in 2002. Gene worked for many years in construction in California and finished his career as a supervisor with Cain Construction from which he retired in 1978. After his retirement he and Jackie moved to Cantril where he served a term as Mayor. Gene oversaw operations at Maple Grove Cemetery for over twenty years, until 2003. He was always known around town for his perfect lawn. Gene was a member of the Cantril Lions Club and Russell–Strait Post No. 483 American Legion.
Left to cherish his memory are his son, Edward Wade (Kathy) of Guyton, GA, a daughter, Jacqueline Skay (Jay Grossman) of Escondido, CA, a brother, Paul Wells (Jayne) of Cantril, three grandchildren, Kimberly Swanson, Shane Wells and Tiffany Wells, several great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, a son Warner Eugene Wells, and two sisters, Betty Whitcanack and Portia Schoville
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