Michael J. Lash

Michael J. Lesh, 74, of Topeka, died Tuesday, August 10, 2004, at his home of esophageal cancer.

Mr. Lesh, a CPA, retired from Sante Fe Railroad in 1989 after 20 years. He previously worked as an international business consultant with Booz, Allen, & Hamilton International with postings in Pakistan and Iran. He also worked for Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad Company and Peat, Marwick, & Mitchell Co.

He enjoyed traveling, golf, bridge and poker.

He was born September 22, 1929 in Hamburg, Arkansas the son of Michael J. and Mary Herlevic Lesh. He was graduated from Joliet High School, Joliet, Illinois and from the University of Illinois in 1955 with a B.S. in accounting. Mr. Lesh also did graduate work at DePaul University in Chicago.

Mr. Lesh served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1953.

He married Georgiann A. Egloff June 16, 1951, in Lemont, Illinois. Mrs. Lesh was a speech therapist working in the Silver Lake School District. She preceded him in death December 16, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his youngest child Mary Kathryn Lesh in 1984 and a sister Agnes Lesh McBryde of Monroe, LA. Survivors include: one son, Mark K. Lesh Downers Grove, Ill; one daughter, Carolyn Rowley and her husband Storer Rowley, Evanston, Ill; four granddaughters, Michele Lesh, Kristin Lesh, Mary Kathryn Rowley, and Elizabeth Rowley; and three sisters, Mary York, Orlando Fla, Matilda Brewer, Waco, Tex, and Frances Vickers, Buchanan Dam, Tex.

A Memorial Mass will be said 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2004, at Christ the King Catholic Church. Cremation will follow services. Mr. Lesh will lie in state and the family will greet friends from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Inurnment will be in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to mklesh@comcast.net.