R. L. Hester, son of the late Dan Hester and Minnie Baker Hester was born on March 28, 1921, near Dexter and died on March 26, 2007, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter at the age of 85.

R. L. was a pastor at various United Methodist churches in the state of Missouri until retirement in 1986. After retirement he relieved ministers at 24 different United Methodist Churches for vacation and sickness. He was a veteran in World War II serving in the United States Navy and a resident of Dexter.

On Dec. 26, 1967 he was united in marriage to Carolyn Irvin in St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Hester survives of the home in Dexter.

Besides his wife, Carolyn Irvin Hester of Dexter, other survivors include one son, David Hester of Boonville; by one daughter, Lisa Ringer of Oakland, Calif.; by one brother, Jim Hester of Dexter; also by four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by one daughter, Ruth Ann Hester; and by two brothers, Paul Hester and Gene Hester.

A memorial service will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church in Dexter at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, with Rev. Louis Lowe officiating.