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Visitation:
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at
Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home
Service:
10:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home
Funeral home:
Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th
St., Springfield
Obituary
Jay Kevin Lessen, 56, of Springfield, passed away
after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday,
June 4, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center with his
family by his side.
Kevin was the son of James B. Lessen and Elaine
Burwell Lessen Butler. He was born in Lincoln, IL on
June 30, 1959.
Kevin graduated from Lincoln Community High School
in 1977. Kevin married Sondra Winterbauer on
December 15, 1984 in Lincoln. During their 31 years
of marriage, they enjoyed traveling – especially to
Biloxi, MS – where they loved the ocean. Kevin and
Sondra were blessed with one daughter, Amber Lessen
Helmkamp who was the light of her father’s eyes.
Kevin was a truck driver for most of his career. He
spent 10 years delivering US Mail from hub to hub –
most recently with Ursa Logistics. He spent 24 years
with Bunn Capitol/Capital City Paper in Springfield.
He participated twice in the Truck Driving Rodeo
Nationals which is a contest for professional truck
driving skills.
People who knew Kevin would describe him as a loyal,
compassionate friend with a huge heart. He could
generally be found helping someone with home repair,
yard maintenance or other handy work. Friends in
need could depend on Kevin to lend an ear and help
however possible. Family was extremely important to
Kevin. Ashton Joseph, his grandson, was the love of
his life and brightened the days. He and Sondra’s
nieces and nephews absolutely loved Uncle Kevin and
have lost an amazing role model. He was a licensed
small aircraft pilot and enjoyed taking family and
friends for rides around Logan County – he
especially loved to show the kids their homes from
the air. On the weekends, you could find Kevin and
Sondra in the air going to breakfast via air
transportation. Kevin also enjoyed fishing, camping
and boating with family and friends – particularly
at Jim Edgar Panther Creek near Chandlerville. Kevin
also enjoyed shooting firearms and was a pretty good
shot.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father, James B.
Lessen and step-mother, Joyce Lessen. |
He is survived by his wife, Sondra Lessen of Springfield;
one daughter, Amber (Adam) Helmkamp and grandson Ashton
Joseph Helmkamp, all of Springfield; and mother, Elaine
(Phil) Butler of Beason. Additionally, Kevin and Sondra’s
siblings survive: Kent (Sue) Lessen of Hoffman Estates,
Karen (Rick) Harris of Chestnut, Kim (Mike) Florey of Beason,
Don (Greta Winterbauer) of Lincoln, and Karen (Gail) Davison
of Middletown, plus 14 nieces and nephews.
Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute
Center following visitation.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 – 7:00
p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler
Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
Memorial Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at
Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home.
Burial will be held at Hartsburg Union Cemetery in
Hartsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kevin Lessen
Grandchildren Memorial Education Fund.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your
condolences. |
