Services Set for Former Banner Editor

A memorial service for Lester DeKoster, former editor of the Banner, will be held Thursday, April 23, at 2 p.m. at Calvin Christian Reformed in Grand Rapids, Mich.

DeKoster, who would have celebrated his 94th birthday on Tuesday, died on April 19. He grew up in Zeeland, Mich., and was a champion tennis player in his youth.

After serving in World War II, he taught school and served as debate coach at South High School in Grand Rapids.

He eventually came to Calvin College to teach and was director of the library at Calvin before becoming editor of the Banner, the now-monthly magazine of the Christian Reformed Church, inSeptember 1970.

He published several books, and in 1980, upon retirement from the Banner, helped to form the Christian Library Press.

In a column published on April 18 in the Grand Rapids Press, DeKoster told the columnist that he had had a fulfilling life. “It’s been a good time,” he said. “I’d do it over.” To read the entire column, in which DeKoster recounts a visit he had with Jesus in the days before his death, go to:
http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/04/for_jesus_faithful_servant_les.html.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, children and several grandchildren.