Lester Roberts, 96, passed away Oct. 22, 2014, at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Ore. He was born Sept. 17, 1918, in Pendleton, Ore., to Sherman T. Roberts and Susie M. (Knowlton). Lester served in the Army during World War II. He was a private first class in the Signal Corp of the 93rd Signal Battalion. He served from July 1942 to his honorable discharge in December 1945. Lester was a truck driver and sharp shooter, and strung telephone wire through enemy lines. He was stationed in northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Lester was raised on a homestead in Echo, Ore. He graduated from Echo High School in 1938 and then began doing sheet metal work in Pendleton, Ore., which led him to employment with Lockheed Aircraft in Los Angeles, Calif. Lester worked as a clerk at Safeway in Hermiston, Ore., and then moved to Mosier, Ore., to work at his brother Joe’s sawmill. On Jan. 14, 1950, Lester married Margaret (Howard) in The Dalles, and he became employed at The Dalles Dam, helping in constructing of the dam. In 1956 they moved to Pilot Rock, Ore., and Lester worked as a millwright at United States Gypsum until 1971 when they relocated once more to Mosier to take over his father-in-law’s cherry and peach orchard and drive school bus for Chenowith District 9 School. With the passing away of his wife Margaret in 2009, Lester decided to move again to The Dalles in order to be closer to his daughter Cheri. Lester was a member of Mosier American Legion and Mosier Grange. Some of his hobbies included fishing, hunting, and traveling with his wife and friends, going on short scenic trips. Lester loved spending time with his grandchildren and all of his family. He was a fan of the Yankees baseball team and enjoyed reading western novels. Lester is survived by his daughter, Cheri Divish, of The Dalles; grandsons Geoff and his wife, Jennifer Divish, of Sandy, Ore., and Brad Divish, of The Dalles; great-granddaughter Cheyanne Divish, and great-grandson Dakota Divish, of Sandy, Ore.; and brother Donald Roberts, of Portland, Ore. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; mother, Susie Roberts; father, Sherman Roberts; brothers Joe, Gene, Jack, and George; and sisters Bertha, Wanda, Crystal, Florence, Freda, and Marvel. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mosier Grange, Special Olympics of Oregon at Wasco-Sherman County or the charity of your choice. A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, followed by interment with Military Honors at Mosier Cemetery. A reception will then be held at the Mosier Grange. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000.