Calvin Dean Esther

OBITUARY DEAN ESTHER Dean Esther, age 81 of Bolivar, passed away early Tuesday morning at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, MO following a short illness. He was born April 4, 1926, in Decaterville, MO, one of seven children, the son of Walter Ezra Esther and Lula Mae Miller Esther. Dean made a profession of faith at an early age during a revival meeting he was attending with his mother at Decaterville Baptist Church. He attended Decaterville grade school. His oldest sister, Irene Mott was his 1st grade teacher and his older brother Joe Esther was his 8th grade teacher. Dean was a graduate of Lebanon High School in 1943 at the age of 17. He attended two semesters at Southwest Missouri State Teachers College before persuading his parents to sign so he could enlist in the Army Air Corp. He was inducted August 16, 1944. He joined his brother Dale at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, MO. He was discharged from the service in December 1945 returning home to help on his parents farm. On May 5, 1946 in Lebanon, MO, he married Melba Lee Schneider, his high school sweetheart. To this union 3 children were born; Deanna Lynn, Arthur Ezra and Robert Alan. Taking advantage of the G.I. bill, Dean enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He graduated with honors in 1952 with a degree in Agriculture. After graduation Dean and his family returned to Lebanon. For the next three years he worked for his brothers Joe and Kinder at the Lebanon Meat Packing Company, as a salesman and "do all". In October 1955, Dean and Melba purchased the Goodyear Tire Company in Bolivar, MO. Dean became an active member of the community. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bolivar where he served as a boys Sunday School Teacher, Usher and a member of the building committee. Dean served as president of the Bolivar Rotary Club, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served two terms on the Bolivar City Council. He is a charter member of the Bolivar Saddle Club and a member of the Historical Society of Polk County. For several years, Dean developed a housing addition in Bolivar as well as Lake Pomme de Terre. In 1969 Dean sold the Goodyear Tire Shop. During the 15 years as a Goodyear Dealer he was honored by the company as one of the top 40 dealers in the United States. In 1972, Dean and Melba moved to a farm in Pleasant Hope, MO. Along with his cattle operation he raised Champion Missouri Fox Trotting Horses. The bloodlines of Dean's horses are still in great demand. Dean lost Melba to cancer in February 1987. On March 11, 1988, Dean married Harlene (Stewart) Johnson of Bolivar. Dean and Harlene continued to live on the farm at Pleasant Hope until 1995, when they moved to Bolivar, where they have lived since.Ill health in 1999, slowed Dean down for maybe a month. Having sold his farm and cattle he began trading cars, trucks, maybe a knife or two or anything that was a bargain. Dean is preceded in death by his parents, His wife Melba. Three brothers, Kinder, Joe and Dale. Two sisters, Irene Mott and Eugenia Mulcare. A son Arthur Ezra Esther. Surviving is his wife Harlene Esther of Bolivar; one daughter, Deanna Burns of Bolivar, one son, Robert Esther and wife Zanita of Springfield, MO; a daughter-in-law Buena Esther of Springfield, MO; a step-daughter, Roberta Doke and husband Jim of Brighton, MO; a sister, Betty Hartung-McMillin and husband Richard of Liberty, MO; Five sisters-in-law Janet Esther of Lebanon, MO; Ernestine Kinsey and husband Woodrow of Bolivar, MO; Bernita Shamel and husband Richard of Lebanon, MO; Berniece Hamilton of Lebanon, MO; Nadine Smith of Lockwood, MO. Also Five grandchildren; Jennifer Esther Lord and husband Michael of Minneapolis, MN; Audrey Esther of Norfolk, VA; Stacey Burns and fianc Eric Angle of Bolivar; Michael Esther and Kelsey Esther of Springfield, MO; Five step-grandchildren; Amber Timmerman and husband Mark of Halfway, MO; Jamie Crocker and husband Jared of West Palm Beach, FL; Jennifer Byrne and husband Barry of Brighton, MO; Jay Robert Doke of Brighton, MO; Adam Arnold of Springfield, MO. One great grandson; Tyson Reathaford of Bolivar; and One step-great grandson; Peyton Timmerman of Halfway, MO. Also many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of many friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 1:00 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Gordon Dutile officiating. Musical soloist will be Stephen Whistler with Susan Baker as the pianist. Songs will be "Because He Lives", "When They Ring Those Golden Bells", and "The Lord's Prayer". Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery at Lebanon, MO under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Dennis Stewart, John Richner, Bryan Henson, Tony Stutenkemper, Alan Bays and Dean Robertson. Military Honors will be by the V.F.W. Post #4107 of Lebanon, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 316 N. Main, Bolivar, MO 65613 Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Calvin Dean Esther

April 4, 1926 - July 17, 2007