Lemuel Absalom Wells III

Lemuel Absalom Wells III (Lem), 81, of Bowling Green, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Pike County Memorial Hospital in Louisiana, Missouri the result of a farming accident. Funeral services for Lem will be Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Ashley. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Lem was born January 1, 1943, in Mexico, Missouri to Lemuel Absalom Wells Jr. and Claudia Olean (Jarboe) Wells. He was united in marriage to Judith Ann Fletcher on July 23, 1966, at St. Clement Church. Lem was raised on the family farm in Middletown, Missouri where he began working on the farm at the age of eight. He attended and graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1961 where he played basketball and was Sentenal in FFA. After high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Agriculture Short course program in 1963. In 1966, he moved to his current home in St. Clement with his wife. Lem was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church. Farming and hauling was his life. He farmed for over 70 years and trucking for almost 25 years. He also loved spending time with his family, especially his kids and grandkids. Lem enjoyed listening to good ole’ country music, watching RFD, and playing cards. He spent his mornings getting coffee with friends at MemMe’s, Hardee’s, McDonald’s or the Sale Barn to catch up on local news. He always had a smile to offer or a handshake to give. Surviving Lem are sons, Lemuel Wells IV of Middletown and Matthew (Sheila) Wells of Wildwood; daughter, Karen (Jeff Boland) Wells Branstetter of Chesterfield; grandchildren: Megan (Austin) Powell, Abigail Wells, Andrew Branstetter, Allison Wells, Madison Bumeter, Lemuel Wells V, Brooke Branstetter, Mackenzie (Carson Katz) Bumeter, and Audrie Wells; great grandchildren, Jace Powell, Hallie Powell and Emersyn Katz; brother, Jimmie Lee Wells of Bowling Green; sister-in-law, Susan Fletcher of Bloomington; special friend, Linda Mudd of Olney; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Lem was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy; daughter, Kathryn Anne Bumeter; brother-in-law, Jerry Fletcher; sister-in-law, Brenda Wells; and nephew, Robert Wells. Pallbearers will be Jay Shafer, Jeff Grady, Frank Worthington, Walt Gregory, Joe Paulsmeyer, and Billy Mudd. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Geeding, Dale Geeding, Billy Jo Cover, Terry Sheafor, and William Menne. Family and friends are invited to the Ashley Community Center to share a meal and fellowship time with the family immediately following the burial. Memorials may be made to Fairview Cemetery or the William Mallory Ag Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.bibbveach.com.

Lemuel Absalom Wells III

January 1, 1943 - October 3, 2024