Fred D. Brester, 65, of Triumph died April 15, 2010, in his residence. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Holy Cross Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Gary Blake officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Mr. Brester was born July 27, 1944, in Indianapolis, Ind., to Max and Ruth (Jessup) Brester. He married Mary Lehnen on April 27, 1968, in LaFayette, Ind. He was a member of Holy Cross Church, Mendota VFW Post 4079, American Legion Post 540 and Knights of Columbus in Utica. He graduated from Purdue University with ag-mechanical and agricultural engineering degrees. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded two Bronze stars and two Purple Hearts. He was a self-employed drywall contractor. He is survived by his wife; two sons, J. Patrick (Jamie) Brester of Sarasota, Fla., and J. Phillip (Laurie) Brester of Mount Palatine; three daughters, Jennifer (Curt) Timmer of Baileyville, S. Rose Baker of Westby, Wis., and Jessica (Craig) Gehrke of Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren; one brother, James (Paulette) Brester of Bean Blossom, Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, John. Memorials may be directed to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.