June 17, 1928 – June 15, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Lester Joseph Meng Jr., 83, of Natchez, who died Friday, June 15, 2012, at his residence, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 18, at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. Paul Kunnumpuram and the Rev. Leopold Keffler, O.F.M.CONV., officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church.

Meng was born June 17, 1928, in Natchez, the son of Lester Joseph Meng Sr. and Sue Marsh Meng. He was a lifelong resident of Natchez. He attended Harlingen Texas High School and Natchez-Adams County High School. Mr. Meng attended the University of Notre Dame and Louisiana State Univesrity, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. In his early years, he was a pitcher with the Natchez Indians semi-pro baseball team. He worked with with his father in the veneer and lumber business in Natchez and also worked in the oil exploration business.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Field Meng of Natchez; three sons, Joe Meng and wife, Cindy, Gregory Meng and wife, Leanne, of Senatobia; and Travis Meng and wife, Kirby, of Jonesboro, Ga.; two daughters, Leanne Meng Sage and husband, Al, of Madison and Valerie Meng of Natchez; one brother, James Carroll Meng and wife, Catherine, of Natchez;15 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Field Meng, Elliot Meng, Weldon Meng, Lyndon Meng, Travis Meng Jr., Liston Sage, Rob Greer, Johnathan Shook and Bailey Savage.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Albert Liston Sage III, William Chandler Johnson, James M. Lessley IV and Robert Walker Manning Jr.

Memorials may be made to the Natchez Children’s Home or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be made at www.lairdfh.com.