Leslie “Les” H. Himes, age 89, of Wausau, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee. Pastor Travis Rogers will officiate. Friends are welcome to greet the family from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Military Honors will be provided by the Owen American Legion Post #123, the Owen-Withee Vets Club, Lublin American Legion Post #547, and the Thorp VFW Post #9057. Masonic Services will be provided by the Owen Masonic Lodge #317. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen is entrusted with arrangements.
Les was born on July 19, 1937, the son of Lester and Leona (Burmester) Himes in the Town of Longwood. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northland College in Ashland and attended graduate school at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Les worked for Allis Chalmers, then was drafted into the U.S. Army and served at the Pentagon at the Department of Defense Assessment Damage Center from 1962-64. After his tour of duty, he worked as a computer programmer and systems analyst in Boston and then retired in Milwaukee from Fiserv in 2000. Les moved back to Owen shortly after retiring.
Les enjoyed outdoor activities, especially hunting with cousin Gene Himes and his family, fishing, and walking. He also enjoyed reading and word puzzles. Les was a member of the Owen Masonic Lodge #164, the Owen-Withee Lions Club, Owen American Legion Post #123, and the Owen-Withee Vets Club. He also belonged to numerous professional DP organizations. In his younger years, he was secretary and president of the Phi Fraternity and a member of the student council.
Les is survived by his sister, Nancy (Curt) Garrett of Thorp, WI; and his brother, Doug (Ellen Bork) Himes of Sarasota, FL; a nephew, Robert (Chrissie Evaskis) Garrett of Jackson, MI, and three nieces: Loralee Garrett (Kaj) Petersen of Withee, WI; Jeanette Himes of Apison, TN; and Jolyne Himes Agramonte of Stella, NC. He is further survived by great-nieces and great-nephews: Michael Petersen of Mankato, MN; Kimberly Petersen (Reid) Olson of Longwood, WI; Stephanie Petersen (Thomas) Legette of Dillon, SC; Trinity Petersen of Greenwood, WI; and Ian Agramonte of Stella, NC; two great-great-nieces: Kabella Olson and Lilliana Legette; other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and a great-great-nephew, Ryder Olson, and a great-great-niece, Kyanna Olson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wisconsin Lions Foundation for the Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.maurinaschilling.com.
