Esther Pettit Stuart, July 25

PETTIT, BATES, ROAN, NEITZ, DUFF, LEEPER, WOLFF AND BROOKER

Posted By: Mary Giles (email)
Date: 3/16/2005 at 08:18:43

Esther Pettit 85, of Stuart passed away on Sunday July 25,2004 at her home.
Esther May Bates was born on May 19,1919 to Mary Edith [Roan] and Vern Bentley Bates in Macksburg. Esther spent her childhood there and graduated from Macksburg High School in 1937; She later was a cook at the school.
On Dec.15,1945 Esther married Earl Eugene Pettit. They lived in Nevinville before locating east of Greenfield where their 3 children Earl Dean, Donald Paul and Bonnie May were born, joining their older brother William Keith Bates. Later the family farmed near Zion before moving to Menlo where their kids finished their schooling. Esther and Earl then moved south of Menlo and after Earl's passing in 1976, Esther moved to Stuart and lived for 24 years in the retirement apartments with many great neighbors. Esther played cards every Tuesday night, crocheted a baby blanket for all of her grand and great-grandchildren, was known for her "hugs", was always excited to play a game of cribbage, loved to read and spend time visiting with friends and family.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Bill Bates;brother Earl Bates and sisters Maxine Duff, Glee Brewer and Evelyn Leeper.
Celebrating her life are her children Dean and Debbie Pettit of Mt.Ayr, Donnie and Linda Pettit of Stuart and Bonnie Neitz of Menlo; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; and sister J.Hope Brooker of Des Moines.
Funeral services were held July 29 at Ruppert Funeral Home Chapel with Rev.Dean Porter officiating. Music selections included "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace".
Serving as casket bearers were Earnie, Willie, Matt, Clay and Cain Pettit and Jeremy Wolff.
The committal service and interment were at Greenfield Cemetery.
Professional arrangements were provided by Ruppert Funeral Home of Stuart.