Lyle F. Jesse Feb. 25, 1928-Jan. 15, 2014
Lyle went home to his heavenly mansion on January 15, 2014. Born in Waukegan, IL to Carl and Lucy Jesse, he was preceded in death by siblings, Delbert Jesse and Johanna Bowers and his beloved wife of 60+ years, Maralyl. His is survived by his son, Charles R. Jesse and daughter-in-law Glenda (Fritz) Jesse, of Springfield, MO and daughter Lynda K. Jesse, of Point Lookout, MO.
Lyle, #45, was one of the “meanest” Bulldogs on the Waukegan football team and was an avid football fan for life. He was also a member of Military Club, Senior City Government, “W” Pep Club and Muscle Club. After high school, he enlisted in the Army as a paratrooper during WWII, but was injured during a training exercise which resulted in an honorable discharge. After the service, he traveled to Springfield, MO on the G.I. bill to attend typewriter school. While in Springfield, he met his future wife, Maralyl, on a blind date. As she would say, “We got caught in a revolving door and kept going around together; he had a toaster and I had an iron, so why not?”
After marriage, Lyle became a traveling salesman throughout MO, MS, and LA until he joined Encyclopedia Britannica near Dallas. He became one of their top salesmen and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Master Salesman. Soon after, he decided to return to the Ozarks to raise his family and build his own business, Top Quality Food Service in Springfield, which was one of the first co-op grocery concepts in MO. He eventually sold the business and ventured into other areas; landlord, laundry truck driver, coffee delivery service, and a distributor for post card display racks. He was a volunteer driver for the DAV and was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for volunteering over 125,000 hours of service.
He and Maralyl enjoyed their Springfield years with the “Saturday night crazies” at the Flamingo dance club, card games, (cut-throat hearts!) and delicious home-cooked meals shared with family and friends. (He never met a cookie he didn’t like!) He also enjoyed a challenging chess match and eventually learned to play online, pitting his computer against others! He loved to tease and enjoyed a good practical joke, especially if he was the jokester!
Above all, he was a Christian who loved his Savior and generously tithed to his church, the Billy Graham ministries, other charities, and to anyone who needed help. He was a man of strong convictions and faith. He recently said, “I’ve had a fulfilling life with a wonderful wife and raised two fine children. I’ve done everything that I’ve wanted to do and I’m ready to meet Jesus.”
Thank you for all you’ve done to make us strong, caring children and friends. Now, you can rest in peace for a job well done, good and faithful servant. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We love you and will miss you.
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the North Greenlawn Funeral Home with services on Monday at 1:00 p.m.