Lester Atkins Radke, A&P retiree
Lester A. Radke, 89, of Milton passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.
Lester was the only child of the late Lester A. and Cordelia H. (Atkins) Radke, and nephew to Ms. Sarah L. Atkins, all of Milton. Lester grew up carrying on with all of his lifelong friends in and around Milton, where he attended Goshen UM Church, enjoyed fishing and honed his skills in woodworking and crafts. Most of all, he enjoyed telling a good joke and living life to its fullest.
In addition to his parents, Lester is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years. It took four years for him to finally get Mrs. Ruth N. (Cavanagh) Radke (2016) to the altar in 1953. During that time, Lester began his lifelong career with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P Grocery Store), then in 1951, he joined the Navy and became a Corpsman Third Class. After serving a year in Korea, Lester was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home to finish his career with A&P. Retiring from A&P in 1987, he went on to work for Campbell’s Soup Company as a part-time sales representative until full retirement in 1997.
Lester was very proud of his military family. His father served active duty with the Navy throughout WWI and WWII, until retiring in 1947. Lester’s son served 34 years with the Delaware Army National Guard and both of Lester’s sons-in-law served tours in the Navy bringing the family total to over 70 years of honorable service with the U.S. military.
He is survived by his three children, Cynthia Husbands and husband Robert, Sandra Atwell and husband Ed, Jeffrey Radke and wife Teresa, all of whom he was especially proud of, including their retirement from successful careers. Lester is also survived by granddaughters Jesse Graham and husband Bill, Kristen Atwell Rivas and husband Rudy, and Alyson Atwell Prystowsky and husband Walter, and Ms. Emily Sexton; and a great-grandson, Julian Rivas.
A graveside funeral will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29, at Goshen UM Cemetery, Chestnut St., Milton. Those attending must wear a mask and adhere to distancing and gathering protocols.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to be made in Lester’s memory to the Milton Fire Department, 116 Front St., Milton, DE 19968, or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803.
Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton. Online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com
