Lester B. Ickes, 51, a native of Custar, died Friday morning, May 24, in his Los Alamos, N.M. home following a long illness. He retired from the U. S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service. Ickes flew a C-123 during the Vietnam War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Since retiring from the Air Force, he had worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Ickes was a graduate of Tri-State College, Angola, Ind. He was born Feb 16, 1940 to Stanley and Dortha Ickes. He married Jill Shafer Feb. 3, 1962. Surviving are his wife; parents of Custar; two sons, Douglas of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Timothy of Los Alamos; daughter Jennifer of Laramie, Wyo.; sister Yvonne Phillips of Deshler; a brother, Larry of Custar and two grandchildren. The funeral wa held on Tuesday, May 28 in Los Alamos Catholic Church. Military rites were held in Santa Fe Military Cemetery. A memorial service was held Tuesday, May 28 at 10 a.m in St. Louis Catholic Church, Custar.