FORRESTON – Lester Edwards Brooks, 88, died peacefully at his home with his family by his side. Lester was born at that same home, on the farm on April 23, 1933 to Joseph and Ellen (Drake) Brooks, the oldest of five siblings.
When Lester was nine years old his father was killed in a farm accident. Lester graduated from Forreston High School in 1951 and started farming the family farm, which had been homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1840. On Sept. 8, 1956, he married Darlene Drake, his high school sweetheart. After serving in the Army with the 25th armored division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii he returned to the family farm. He was proud to be a farmer and loved the land. That love was recognized in 1992 when he was awarded the Ogle County Conservation Farm Family of the year award. He enjoyed showing off the restored cabin where he was born and proud the 6th generation is farming on the family farm. Lester was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Forreston.
Lester is survived by his wife Darlene and three sons, Joel Lester, Timothy “Tim” Webster, and Thomas “Tom” James; Joel’s family (daughter-in-law Kay Henze, grandson Koel (Maggie) Brooks, and great-granddaughter Sofie Brooks of Bettendorf, IA), granddaughter Jorden (Ben) Sasscer, great-granddaughter Allie and great-grandson Jack of Forreston); Tim’s family (daughter-in-law Erixana Lewis, of Madsion, Indiana, grandson Duncan (Tristan) Brooks and great-grandsons Ezekial and Azaiah of Louisville, Kentucky, granddaughter Araminta (Jed) Tuttle of Munice, Indianna and great-granddaughters Annalee and Cecily, grandson Jacob Brooks of Madison, Indianna); Tom’s family (daughter-in-law Joan Viel of Forreston); sisters, Marry Ellen (Malcolm) Davis of Mt. Morris, and Katherine Jacob of Mountain View, Calif.; Brother, Phillip (Joanne) Brooks of Rockford; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Norman Osterloo, and brother-in-law, Donald Drake.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; sister, JoAnn Conkey; brother and sister-in-law Duane and Virginia Drake; and sister-in-law, Sandra Drake.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday Nov. 20, 2021 at First United Methodist Church in Forreston, IL with Pastor Sung-Eun Kim officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston. Burial will be in Brookville Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lanark. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Lester’s memory.
