Alan Lesner

Alan Lesner, 77 years of age, and a resident of Amherst, was called home to his Lord on September 5, 2023.

Alan was born January 23, 1946,  at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain. He attended St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lorain, Ohio,  where he served as an altar boy.  He graduated in 1964 from Lorain Admiral King High School.   Alan attended Bowling Green State University and received a Bachelor of Science in secondary education. While attending Bowling Green, he became a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, and Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society. He went on to attend Cleveland State and Kent State Universities for postgraduate work. Alan began his teaching career at Margaretta Middle School in Castalia in 1968. He returned to Lorain County where he taught for over thirty years in the Amherst School system. While at Nord Junior High School, he coached boys and girls basketball and track. 

Alan was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharisitc minister for many years. He was also the coach of the St. Joseph School Academic Challenge team. Alan also treasured his time coaching his daughter’s CYO championship basketball team.  He was a member of Amherst Catholic Golden Agers. Following his retirement, he worked part time for Hempel Funeral Home of Amherst. Outside of work, he enjoyed playing the piano, visiting Ohio historical sites, gardening, reading, playing checkers and watching Cleveland sports teams and the sports programs of The Ohio State Buckeyes. 

Alan was known for his kindness, dedication, strong work ethic, unwavering faith, and his good nature,and he served as an exceptional role model as a husband, father, and grandfather. Devotion and love defined Alan’s 55-year marriage to the love of his life, Karen. His role as a father and grandfather was unparalleled as he dedicated his time in his later years caring for his son and spending lots of time with his grandchildren. Serving as a teacher in the Amherst community for more than 30 years, it was common for him to run into students after his retirement that would say that he was the best teacher they had ever had. Alan leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire those he touched. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 55 years, Karen Lesner (nee: Bohn); his son, David Lesner of Amherst; his daughter, Kathleen Lesner Hall (Montgomery) of Amherst; as well as his grandchildren, Kyle and Alexandra Hall. 

Alan was preceded in death by his siblings, Donald and Leon Lesner; and his by parents, Vincent and Marie Lesner (nee; Swiderski).

Family and friends are invited to call Monday, September 11, 2023, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, Ohio.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc.,1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, Illinois 60607, or to the St. Joseph School Scholarship Fund 200 St. Joseph Dr, Amherst, Ohio 44001.

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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