Lester "Pete" R. Aaron, 88, of Eau Claire died Sunday, March 30, 2008, at his son's home near Hayward. He was born February 4, 1920, in Itasca, Wisconsin, the son of William and Cora (McCombs) Aaron.\r\nHe moved with his family to Altoona, WI, when he was six months old. He worked in the CC camps, and at National Presto before joining the U.S. Navy in 1940. Pete served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as an aviation machinist mate, from 1940 until his honorable discharge in 1947. He was a survivor of the sinking of the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier, in the Coral Sea, in the South Pacific.\r\nPete married Betty R. Fletcher on December 12, 1942, at Central Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN.\r\nHe worked at Pope&Talbot Paper Mill as a wrapper operator until his retirement in 1982.\r\nHe was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Eau Claire and VFW Post #305 in Eau Claire. \r\nPete and Betty were longtime summer residents on the Chippewa Flowage. They shared many good musky stories and together enjoyed the beautiful Hayward area with their family. \r\nPete is survived by; three sons, Robert (Deb) Aaron and Dennis (Ruth) Aaron both of Hayward and James Aaron of Nipona, CA; his daughter, Brenda Aaron of Tilden; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mary (Jerry) Kuehn of Green Bay; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by; his wife, Betty on March 17th; his parents; three brothers, LeRoy, Clayton and Lewis; and two sisters, Leona and Jesse.\r\nMemorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2226 Eddy Lane, Eau Claire with Pastor Randy Olson officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Church Cemetery where VFW Post #305 will conduct military graveside honors. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nHis family request memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society, 2427 N. Hillcrest Pkwy., Suite #103, Altoona, WI 54720-2602.\r\nTo express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com.

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