Lester Casteel

Lester G. "Les" Casteel, 69, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 3, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his family in Cleveland, TN., after a battle with cancer.

He was an active member of Elkmont Baptist Church, a 32nd degree master mason in Cleveland Lodge #134 and honorary member of Limestone Lodge in Birchwood, TN. He served in the Grand Lodge Line as Grand Tyler in 1997, as well as master of the Lodge in 1995. Les was also a member of the Scottish Rite, Shriners and Eastern Star. He served his country for 11 ½ years with the United States Navy.

Les loved life and his family, but most of all he loved the Lord. His hearts desire was for all to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Syllis Casteel and Virginia Casteel Brock and brother, Richard Casteel.

Les is survived by his wife, Sherry Casteel; daughter Twana Cochran, devoted son-in-law, James Cochran; granddaughters, Ally Cochran and Gabby Cochran; step-father, Oscar "Bud" Brock; sister, Barbara Smith and her husband Jim; sister-in-law, Jeanette Casteel; several nieces and nephews; church family at Elkmont Baptist Church and special friends Dr. Bill and Dottie Smith also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2009 in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Reverend Johnny Hood officiating. Interment will be held at 10 A.M. Wednesday, January 7, 2009 in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. Ben Richardson, Alvin Howard, Chaunce Foster, Todd Collins, Tim Lindsay and John Horney will be serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the services.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be conducted at 8 p.m. following visitation.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Casteel family guestbook at www.fikefh.com