Esther Hardesty

Esther W. Hardesty, 63, of Danville passed away on March 4, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Esther was born on June 8, 1947 in Perrysville, Indiana, daughter of Charles and Thelma (Arlington) Kyger. She is survived by two sons: William (Sherry) Hardesty of Warsaw, IN and Sean (Heather) Johnson of Arverne, NY; four daughters: Teresa (Marty) Wells of Bismarck, IL, Mary Hardesty of Mentone, IN, Angela (Jason) Oldham of Tippecanoe, IN, and Nicole (Jason) Kann of Etna, IN; two brothers William (Mary) Kyger of Danville, IL and Charles Kyger of Arkansas; five sisters: Anna (Terry) Cummings of Veedersburg, IN, Charlotte Hanson of Danville, IL, Janet Fugate of Alvin, IL, Josephine Butts of Benton Harbor, MI, and Iris Snyder of CO; eighteen grandchildren: Colt Anthony Johnson, Corey (Kristen Stevens) Calvert, Jessica Calvert, Jacob Oldham, Austin Hardesty, Tiana Hardesty, Shasta Childs, Tom Hursey, Andrea Perkins, Jeremy Perkins, Ashley Kann, Allie Kann, Autumn Kann, Emma Johnson, Marisa (A.J. Anderson) Thomason, Jarod (Virginia Rodgers) Thomason, Sarah Wells, and Cheyenne Wells; and three great grandchildren: Brooklyn Slone, Madison Childs, and Natalie Fortes; as well as her special friend Dee London and many regular customers. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant son George Johnson III, four sisters: Bernice Hart, Mildred Smith, Lucille Knee, and Verda Elliot; and two brothers Donald and Frederick Goben. Esther graduated from North Vermillion High School and owned and operated Leons Diner in Danville for several years. She was a huge Cubs fan, #1 Colts fan, Danville Dans fan, and loved anything Betty Boop; but above all she loved her family and was a dedicated homemaker and mom. A Celebration of Esthers Life will be held at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home 3940 N. Vermilion St. Danville, IL with Pastor Drew Mentzer officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Monday evening at the funeral home. Following the service, per her wishes she will be cremated and laid to rest at Atherton Cemetery in Danville. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com