Esther C. Cates, age 87, of Marion, IN, died Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at Parkview Huntington Hospital. She was born in Marion, Indiana, on June 2, 1930, to the late Quincy and Hazel (Roe) Small. She graduated from Swayzee High School in 1948. She married the love of her life, Jesse Cates, on May 13, 1951. He preceded her in death on November 12, 2014, after celebrating 63 years of marriage.
Esther was a member of the Mount Olive United Methodist Church in Marion, where she was very active. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, a lay member to the annual conference, and participated in district women’s work. She served on several committees. She was a cook at the church camp and was a devoted Sunday school teacher. Esther was also a member of the 20thCentury Farm Club.
Esther is survived by her two sons, Ron (Teresa) Cates, Marion, IN, and Jim (Becky) Cates, Fort Wayne, IN; sister, Faye Sites, Swayzee, IN; brother, Vaughn Small, Marion, IN; brother-in-law, Lester Cates, Marion, IN; 4 grandchildren, Jason (Lori) Cates, Swayzee, IN, Brian (Angela) Cates, Marion, IN, Kristi Cates, Normal, IL, and Amy (Rich) Vail, Fort Wayne, IN; and 8 great-grandchildren, Lucas Cates, Grant Cates, Rebecca Cates, Collin Cates, Elayna Cates, Adalyn Vail, Cora Vail, and Lilia Vail. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to the caring staff of Heritage at Huntington Nursing Home for their loving care of Esther.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Quincy and Hazel, her husband, Jesse, brother, Ralph Small, and sister, Cleo Gibson.
Arrangements for Esther have been entrusted to Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services College Park Chapel. A visitation has been set for Friday, July 7, 2017, from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Mount Olive United Methodist Church, 2015 County Rd. 300 W., Marion, Indiana 46952. A funeral service celebrating Esther’s life will be held at the church on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Douglas Barton officiating. Friends and family may call an hour before the service as well. Entombment will follow the service at Grant Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Olive United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be left at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.