Esther Marie Stone

85, of Galesburg, formerly of Abingdon died at 8:05 pm Saturday, January 6, 2007 in Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg. The daughter of Ira and Martha Kopfer Ingold, she was born on Jan. 3, 1922, in Wyaconda, MO. She attended Wyaconda High School and Culver-Stockton College. Esther married Robert H. Stone on Aug. 23, 1943 in Canton, MO, before they moved to Abingdon, IL, to begin their teaching careers. Esther dedicated 30 years to teaching in the Abingdon school district. Robert preceded her in death on May 12, 1967. She is survived by her three daughters; Martha (and Barry) Brown of Galesburg, Patricia (and Paul) James of Inverness, FL, Nancy (and Christopher) Pali of Salisbury, MD, as well as a brother, Glen Ingold of Kansas City, MO. She was also blessed with her seven grandchildren; Jacquelyn Rosché, Patrick Brown, Heather Eppler, Kristen Fisher, Sarah Pali, Paul James Jr., Charlie James; and four great grandchildren, Jacob & Morgan Brown and Logan & Rhianna Rosché. Esther was an active member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church and assumed many leadership roles. She was president of the Abingdon Education Association for many years and later joined the Knox County Retired Teachers Association. She was a board member of the Illinois Council on Aging. She belonged to Chapter BB, PEO Sisterhood for nearly 50 years. Esther participated in many other civic and local organizations. Esther belonged to several bridge clubs and was a founding member of the Abingdon Button Club. She traveled extensively with family and friends and had a lifetime love of music and reading. Funeral service will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel. Rev. Paul Dinges will officiate. Burial will be in Abingdon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Tuesday at the chapel. Memorials may be made to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 401 N. Washington St., Abingdon, IL 61410 or to the Abingdon Public Schools Foundation in care of Tompkins State Bank, 204 N. Monroe St., Abingdon, IL 61410.

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