Jesslee Lewis was born at Torington, Wyoming on March 4, 1919 and passed away at Omaha, Nebraska on January 9, 2008, at the age of 88 years, 10 months, 5 days. Jesslee was the son of Clark and Ida Davenport Lewis. He moved to Shenandoah at a young age attending and graduating from Shenandoah High School as president of his class in 1939. While in high school he was captain of the 1937 football team who played at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida against Miami High School. He was united in marriage to Audrey at the Presbyterian Church in Clarinda on September 23, 1940. Jesslee served in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He was a Life Member of American Legion Post #88 of Shenandoah. After his discharge from the service he came back to Shenandoah where he worked for the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, later moving to Omaha to work for a dry cleaning company. He later moved back to Shenandoah where he started a dry cleaners which he ran with the help of his wife Audrey and his family. Jesslee was a member of the First Christian Church of Shenandoah.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters and three brothers. Survivors include his wife Audrey; two sons, Gary and wife Jean of Shenandoah, Iowa, Mike and his wife Sonja of Smithville, Missouri; two granddaughters; four grandsons; four great grandsons; two great granddaughters; one step great granddaughter; three step great grandsons; and a twin sister, Genevieve in California; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. from the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Tom Beavers. In charge of the Memory Register were Bev Harrington and Charlene Bisbee. Musical selections included "In the Garden" and "Old Rugged Cross". Casket Bearers were Gary Lewis, Mike Lewis, Jeff Lewis, Chris Lewis, Bruce Morelock, Dennis Taylor, and Jack Baxter. Honorary casket bearers were Austin Lewis, Cain Zirfas, Cord Zirfas, Danny lewis, David Lewis, and Tom Parks. Military Graveside Rites were accorded by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.