Kenneth Lee Riester

Kenneth worked as a switchman for the Alton Southern Railway for over 30 years. He was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6996, in Fairview Heights. He enjoyed “digging in the dirt”; gardening was a big part of his life. He was an avid reader and enjoyed dancing. He liked to watch, both, boxing and wrestling. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, who will truly be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Lee Riester, in infancy; his parents, Gilbert and Lenora, nee Healy, Riester; a brother, Larry Riester; and his step mother, Betty Teitsort Riester.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 49 years, Shirley R. Riester, nee Qualls, of Fairview Heights, Illinois; his children, Andrea Lee (Donald Lee) Ital, of Belleville, Illinois, Betty Lee Croissant, of Smithton, Illinois, and Norma Lee (Danny Lee Jr) Smith, of Fairview Heights, Illinois; grandchildren, Keith Lee Abraham, Madison Lee Ital, Victoria Lynn Croissant, Isabella Maria Croissant, Danny Lee Smith III, Hailey R. Smith, and Dylan Lee Smith; his sister, Norma Rose Paredes, Swansea, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorials are appreciated to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Monday, February 29, 2016, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, February 29, 2016 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois with Father Ray Schultz officiating. Interment will be held privately in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.