Esther L. Moore
Esther Luetta Moore, 92, passed away Tuesday (Sept. 29,
2009) at Newton Presbyterian Manor. She was born on Nov. 22, 1916, in Bristol,
Ind., to Charles and Beulah Bell (Smetzer) Miller. They preceded her in death.
At the age of 3, she moved with her family to Cedar Bluffs, Neb. It was in
Cedar Bluffs she discovered her love for music and spent her life sharing her
talent for the piano and organ. They also lived in Omaha, Neb., until the Great
Depression hit. Then they moved to Newton, where her stepfather, Roy Pletcher,
operated a car garage and cab company. Esther attended Lincoln Grade School and
Newton High School. She also was a member of the Baptist church.
On Oct. 1, 1965, she married David A. Moore. They made their
home in Kansas City, where Esther worked in the garment industry. Following
Dave's death, she moved to Newton to be closer to her family.
Esther had a wide variety of interests besides her love of
music. She enjoyed dancing and making and donating crafts for numerous church
bazaars. When she was able, she was faithful in visiting friends in the
hospital and was generous in supplying candy to the nursing home staff.
Family was very important to Esther, and she greatly looked
forward to spending time with her loving family and many friends, who all will
miss her greatly.
Survivors include daughters, Joan and James Bush of
Cassoday, and Barbarajean Thornton of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; sister, Della Mae
and Charles Harr of Newton; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and
three great-great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by a son, Gus Claus; brother,
Harold Miller; sister, Ruth Petty Miller; brother, Billy Pletcher; stepfather,
Roy Pletcher; and grandson, Ronald Ray Neer.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton, with family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral
home, with the Rev. Jim Bush and Pastor Peter Ostrander officiating.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cassoday United
Methodist Church, Liberty Baptist Church or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of
the funeral home.
