Esther Whitmer

Esther Whitmer; of Pontiac. On April 25, 2014, Esther Whitmer, the flower lady of Indian Village, left this world that she treasured to be with our Lord. In His everlasting life she is reunited with her loved ones who went before her and whom she deeply missed. Esther was born on Dec 11, 1913 in Dellroy, Ohio to Lorin and Zella Elliott. When still a toddler her mother died in child birth and she and her beloved brother Arthur were then raised by their grandparents. There they learned to work hard, believe in our Creator and to care about others, lessons that never left them. By the time she was 19, she was teaching in Dellroy and helping her brother run the farm as well as caring for her grandmother. In 1936 Esther married Dana Whitmer who partnered her through a life filled with laughter, travel, difficulties and victories. When Dana developed Alzheimer's, Esther attended to his daily needs. Esther was an athlete, terrific teacher, a talented baker and a gifted gardener. She will be truly missed by many friends and especially her children, Dick and Judy; her grandchildren, State Senator Gretchen Whitmer, Liz Gereghty, Richard Whitmer, Dana McCormick, and Tim Kozloski; as well as her great grandchildren, Sherry, Maggie, Sydney, Will and Jay. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church, 99 Wayne Street, (N.W. corner of Wayne and Huron Streets) in downtown Pontiac. The family wishes to thank the Powell Family, as well as other devoted friends and Grace Hospice for their tender care of Esther. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Grace Hospice of Troy or a favorite charity are suggested. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted SPARKS-GRIFFIN FUNERAL HOME, Pontiac. Reflections may be shared with the family by visiting www.sparksgriffin.com