Lester Oaten, Rockledge

Lester (Les) Joseph Oaten of Rockledge passed away Monday, June 29, 2009 after a courageous battle with Melanoma. He was 68 years old.

Lester honorably served 24 years in the U.S. Army and acheived rank of CW- 4. He graduated from Troy State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later went on to work for 15 years for Boeing and Lockheed/ Martin at the Kennedy Space Center. He was a highly decorated veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal . He was a proud and loyal patriot to his country and a loving and devoted husband and father to his wife and family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Oaten; three daughters, Diana Lalani of Cookeville TN, Martina Oaten of Tallahassee, and Jill (Troy) Freeman of Titusville; as well as three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at South Brevard Funeral Home 1001 S. Hickory Street, Melbourne . A funeral service will be held at 7:00 at the funeral home.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Melanoma Research Foundation, 170 Township Line Road, Building B, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 or Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice and Palliative Care, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, FL 32940. Arrangements are by East Coast Cremation, Rockledge 632-1350, please sign guestbook at: www.affuneral.com