Michael J. Lesh, a former Chicago area resident, who worked as a CPA and Controller in the Energy and Transportation Industries, died Tuesday in his home in Topeka of esophageal cancer. He was 74. Mr. Lesh retired from Sante Fe Industries in 1989 after 20 years. He previously worked as an international business consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton International with postings in Pakistan and Iran. He also worked for Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad Company and Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. He enjoyed traveling, golf, bridge and poker. He was born September 22, 1929 in Hamburg, Arkansas, the son of Michael J. and Mary Herlevic Lesh. He graduated from Joliet High School and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1955 with a B.S. in accounting. Mr. Lesh also did graduate work at DePaul University in Chicago. Mr. Lesh served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1953. He married Georgiann A. Egloff on June 16, 1951 in Lemont, IL. Mrs. Lesh was a speech therapist working in the Downers Grove School District. She preceded him in death December 16, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his youngest child, Mary Kathryn Lesh in 1984 and a sister, Agnes Lesh McBryde of Monroe, LA. Survivors include one son, Mark K. Lesh of Downers Grove, one daughter, Carolyn Rowley and her husband Storer Rowley of Evanston; four granddaughters, Michele Lesh, Kristin Lesh, Mary Kathryn Rowley and Elizabeth Rowley; and three sisters, Mary York of Orlando, FL, Matilda Brewer of Waco, TX and Frances Vickers of Buchanan Dam, TX. A Memorial Mass will be said at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2004 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Topeka, KS. Cremation will follow services. Mr. Lesh will lie in state and the family will greet friends from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Saturday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel in Topeka. Inurnment will be in Clarendon Hills, IL, at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to mklesh@comcast.net.
