William "Bill" Richard Lesch
86, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday February 17. He was born in Sellersburg, IN on December 9, 1926. He moved to Indianapolis and attended St. Joan of Arc and Cathedral High School and served in the Navy during WWII. Bill graduated from Butler University in 1949. Bill and the love of his life, Joan, met at the Riviera Club where he worked as a lifeguard. They were married in November of 1950 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
Bill worked in the personnel department for RCA, who sent him and his growing family to NYC, NJ and OH before moving them back to Indianapolis, where they became members of St. Pius X parish in 1964. Soon after, Bill took a job in the personnel department at AFNB (now Chase Bank), eventually being promoted to Vice President of Personnel.
Bill's accomplishments and contributions were many. He proudly served on the Board of Directors of Noble of Indiana and The Arc of Indiana, as well as being a member of Knights of Columbus. Later in life, he enjoyed being a career counselor.
Bill especially loved spending time with his family at their cottage on Lake Wawasee. He was compassionate, steadfast, adventurous and a spiritually-driven loving husband, father and grandfather. He was an avid reader who loved music, traveling, hiking and camping with his family; he had an endless curiosity about life.
Bill was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael and Joseph, his parents, Carl and Elsie, his brother Carl and sisters Margaret and Jane. He is survived by his wife Joan and their children, William (Connie), Timothy (Ellen), John (Betsy), Anne, James (Teresa), Kathryn (Hildred), Tom (Debbie) and niece Tammy Moran. He was beloved and will be greatly missed by his 15 grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank all the relatives and dear friends who helped care for Bill near the end of his life, with a special thanks to The Caring Place and caregiver Antonio Mabry.
Visitation will take place from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7200 Sarto Drive, on Friday February 22 and again at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday February 23. The Mass in celebration of his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, followed by interment at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill's name to St. Pius X Catholic Church, spxparish.org, A Caring Place, 4609 N. Capital Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208, fairviewpresbyterian.org, or Noble of Indiana, 7701 East 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219, nobleofindiana.org. Services entrusted to Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary and memorial tributes may be offered at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 24, 2013
Melissa Moran
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know Bill through the SPRED program at St. Pius X. In this program, we met bi weekly to reflect on scripture and writings; Bill's love for life and his family always shone through his stories. In the other weeks, we met with our special friends, and Bill's calm, smiling and loving presence was at the center of our welcoming space for those special friends. Bill will be missed in the St. Pius X family.
February 22, 2013
Marc Theising
Condolences from the Theising family.
So sorry for your loss. Bill was such a wonderful person. He will be missed.
February 22, 2013
Nancy Gorgol
Uncle Bill was such a wonderful man. The love he shared with our family and friends will live on forever. Uncle Bill I will always remember your stories about the "Giant Turtle of Churubusco", family dinners at Thanksgiving, get togethers at Lake Wawasee and our trips to Das Essenhaus.
February 21, 2013
Karen Lane
I had heard of Bill Lesch before I met him. I was in the Retail Training Dept. at Bank One, Indianapolis, and he was the Director of Personnel. I was in awe and felt a bit of trepidation when thinking of meeting and interacting with him, Then I met Bill. He was one the most genuine "people" people I had ever met. Eventually, I had the privilege of attending one of Bill's seminars. I still have the gift mug with the message "Imagination is greater than knowledge" from Albert Einstein. It was an insightful session! The culmination of my interactions with Bill was the opportunity to co-faciitate seminars with Bill. What a pleasure it was! His years of experience in working and dealing with people coupled with his innate goodness were inspiring to our attendees and to me. Bill gave so much. He was a man of God. He was truly a blessing.
February 21, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will miss the man who was loved by so many. Always upbeat and looking for a better way to live spiritually, in mind, and in body!
Ann Arvidson
February 21, 2013
Jeff Kirby
What a great man and a great family. I have so many great memories with all of them.
February 21, 2013
Beth Sills
My thoughts and prayers are with the Lesch Family. I am so glad that I got to know Bill and his wonderful family! This is truly a heartfelt sad time losing Bill. I know he is with God now and his son Joseph. May God grant the family with the comfort and warmth and love needed at this time.
February 20, 2013
The God of all comfort will comfort you in your time of sorrow. (2Cor. 1:4)
C Johnson
February 20, 2013
My sympathy to the Lesch family. I worked with Tim many years ago at Crossroads Rehab and I will always remember what a wonderful family you have. My sincere condolences.Kathy Aders Brenton
February 19, 2013
Clifford Spears
I was HR Director at Merchants Bank when Bill was at AFNB. We had many talks and lunches together. Bill was a man of total class, and I have always liked and respected him. May Our Redeemer welcome him into the blissful eternal rest that he so richly deserves.
February 19, 2013
My sympathy to Bill's great family. From a Joan of Arc classmate who
appreciated getting to know him again at our latest reunion
Ellen Wagner Healey
February 19, 2013
Keith Gran
Joan and family - Several bank friends let Marty and me know very quickly about Bill. We are out of the US and Indianapolis until Sunday, so are very regretful that we will miss the services honoring Bill. You all are certainly in our prayers. Keith Gran
February 19, 2013
Kenda Friend
Bill was a wonderful neighbor who always had a smile for all! Wishing peace and love to his family at this sad time.
February 19, 2013
Sincere condolences to you all on the loss of a wonderful man who clearly loved and enjoyed spending time with his family. I feel fortunate to have met your Dad and always enjoyed visiting with him and your Mom, Tim, when your parents came to Jenison for graduation parties. May your Dad rest in God's peace. Jackie & Ron Wondolowski
February 19, 2013
I'm very sorry for your loss. Draw close to God in prayer, especially during these times, as he invites us to do so. (Psalm 65:2)
February 19, 2013
Kathy Kenny
I knew Mr. Lesch as a patron at the Nora library where I've worked for a number of years. He was one of those patrons that you truly looked forward to seeing each time he came in. Every interaction with him left you with a smile. He will be missed very much by very many. On behalf of all of his library friends, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 19, 2013
Joseph Harmon
Kathy, Jim, and extended Lesch Family, Please accept my sincere sympathy with the loss of your dad. The obituary was a wonderful tribute to his very full and enriched life. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace, free from all earthly infirmaties.
February 19, 2013
Kitzi Love
I am so sorry about Bill. I didn't know about dear Joe. I so wish I hadn't lost touch with your wonderful family.
February 19, 2013
Terri Jump
Ahhhh..I just learned that Bill passed away. So very sorry! He was an inspiring colleague and friend! I thank God that Bill was in our lives...a true blessing! Prayers and love to his family!
February 19, 2013
Christi Henning
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the passing of Mr. Lesch. I used to work with Mr. Lesch at AFNB in l985 and always liked him. He was kind to everyone! I currently am living back home in Wisconsin and a co-worker and good friend sent his obituary to me. He will be greatly missed, but I'm certain that when we are all reunited in heaven, I will know him instantly! God bless each of you.
February 19, 2013
John Kistner
I worked for Bill in Personnel for several years prior to his retirment from AFNB/Bank One. I will always remember Bill as a very caring person to his family, friends, and co-workers. He especially guided me as I learned the essentail elemrnts to be a good Human Resources representative. May he rest in peace.
February 19, 2013
Dotty and Ron Reehling
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you celebrate Bill's life. We have fond mememories of our time living near you all on Brent. God's blessings to all the family.
February 19, 2013
Lisa Meyers
Uncle Bill was a caring, soft spoken man with a heart of gold. His love of his family and God is a true inspiration of how we all should live. He will be missed dearly but will live in our memories forever. Rest in peace, we love you and miss you!
February 19, 2013
Linda Cauger
My Uncle Bill - A true man of integrity, grace, and unconditional love for his God and his family. Aunt Joan and all my cousins and families, I know he will be missed but we have so many amazing memories to keep him here with us until we see him again in heaven. God bless you all and know we love you! John, Linda, Holly and Ben
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