Esther D. Maerker

Esther D. Maerker, 96, of Hamden, passed away Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at Adena Health Systems in Chillicothe. She was born May 29, 1911 in Gallipolis, daughter of the late Martin Luther and Laura Bing Donnally. Esther is the widow of the late Warren E. Mearker.

She retired as a school teacher where she taught in the local area for 34 years. Esther was a 50 year member of the Sereno Chapter #128 OES, a member of the Vinton and Jackson County retired teachers and the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a member of the McArthur BPW, the Hope Methodist Church in Wellston and numerous other civic organizations.

Esther is survived by one son, Edmund Linda Maerker of Hamden; one daughter, Linda Pat Murphy of Hamden; four grandchildren, Joshua Kayla Maerker of Hamden, Deidra Speakman of Jackson, Kathryn Kevin Sloas of Portsmouth and Leighton Murphy of Hamden; three step grandchildren, Mike Rhonda Dutcher, Kevin Misty Dutcher and Michelle Dutcher all of Hamden; seven great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held 1 P.M., Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St., McArthur. Interment will be in Ridgewood Cemetery, Wellston. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. where an Eastern Star service will be conducted at 7:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Nationwide Children?s Hospital Foundation, 700 Children?s Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43205.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.cardaras.com