Lester "Les" John Rutherford

Tilton Lester "Les" John Rutherford Lester J. Rutherford, 90, a longtime resident of Tilton died, Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia following a period of failing health. Les was born in Plymouth, NH, December 8, 1924, son of the late John F. and Flossie May (Merrill) Rutherford. Les was one of 11 children. He spent his youth and schooled in Plymouth and graduated from Plymouth High School, class of 1942. Les later attended a business college in Laconia for two years. He moved to Franklin in 1951 and later to Tilton in 1958. He worked for over 25 years in customer service with the Arwood Corporation in Northfield. He went on to join the staff at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton, working as storekeeper until 1986. An active member of the Tilton community, Les served on various boards and committees which included two terms on the Board of Selectmen and ten years with the Budget Committee. He was a longtime active member of the Tilton-Northfield United Methodist Church in Tilton, chairing the church building committee. He and his wife enjoyed many years with various camping groups, traveling to the coast and visiting the numerous lighthouses. During WWII Les served with the Seabees from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946, with rank of MM Third Class. He traveled by cattle car to the west coast to begin his tour. Not knowing of the death of his father while he served his country, Les returned home to care for his mom, siblings and working the family farm. His family includes, his wife of 66 years, Mavis E. (Knox) Rutherford of Tilton son, Michael D. Rutherford and his longtime companion, Barbara Greenwall of Belmont daughter, Mari Ellen Douton and husband Mark of New London, CT two grandchildren, Michael Douton and his wife, Denise of Warwick, RI and Sara (Douton) O'Byrne of Portland, OR great-grandson, Oliver Douton sisters, Edith Millhomme of Wilmington, CT and Priscilla Balou of Branford, CT numerous nieces and nephews. A calling hour will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 7, 2015 with a funeral service following at 2:00 PM at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road (584 West Main Street) in Tilton. Burial with military honors will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the Grant Hill Cemetery, Grant Hill Road, in Center Ossipee, NH Those wishing may make memorial donations in Lester's name to the Wounded Warriors Project, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 758540, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8540.