HERKIMER Lester J. Shaut, age 86, of West German Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, November 10, 2009 in Little Falls Hospital. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born on December 7, 1922, in Starkvillea son of the late Lester and Blanche Hoke Shaut. A lifelong area resident he was educated in the Van Hornesville School system. He joined the US Navy onMarch 2, 1943 and was honorably discharged on December 16, 1945. On November 2, 1946, he was united in marriage to the former Margaret V. Lashway in Ames. A loving and devoted union of 51 years until her passing on January 2, 1998. For over 50 years he worked for various local fuel companies, retiring from Herkimer Petroleum in 1997. Lester was a kind and gentle man who cherished his family and friends. As a young man he drove stock cars at the Fonda Raceway and still enjoyed following the NASCAR races. He took pride in his collection of model cars sharing his interest with his great-great-grandchildren. His humor was contagious and a gift he shared to lift a trouble heart. A special man, his love will live on through the many lives he touched. Surviving are one sister Blanche Mathews of Herkimer, his son-in-law Daniel Tauroney, six grandchildren, Colleen Bass, who was raised by Lester and his late wife Margaret, and her husband Daniel of Herkimer Camille Kahler and her husband Gary of Rome, Valerie Brown and her husband David of Whitesboro, Dory Ingersoll and her husband Dean of Holland Patent, Daniel Tauroney and his wife April of Rome, Paul Tauroney and his wife Monica of New Hartford, fourteen great-grandchildren, among them are Daniel Bass and his wife Carrie of Herkimer, Alisa Barretta and her fianc Brian Ruppert of Little Falls, and Melissa Kuzontkoski and her husband Matthew of Herkimer, many great-great-grandchildren, including Stephanie and Joseph Bass, Tyler and Jordyn Kuzontkoski, Zachary Barretta and Nathan Ruppert, several nieces and nephews and good friends, especially Joan Haggerty, whom Lester thought of as another daughter, as well as her late husband Jim. It was through their love, compassion and help that allowed Lester to maintain his independence through the last few years. The family will be forever grateful. Besides his parents and wife Margaret, he was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Yemans-Tauroney on August 1, 2009, three brothers Frank, Howard, Ralph Shaut, two sisters, Helen Moore, Kay Shaut, his nephew, Jeffrey Shaut, and special grandson, Daniel Barretta. Funeral service will be on Saturday at 10:00 am in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Reverend Janet Gleason, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Herkimer/Little Falls will officiate. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Gardens. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Friday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 1027 E. Genesee St. Syracuse, NY 13210-1808for all the help given to Lesters two great-great-grandsons, Joseph Bass and Zachary Barretta. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Much love and gratitude from Mom to our Melissa, you made life easier for the whole family.