Esther E. Lewis, 94, Marion, passed away at 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne. She was born in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 29, 1924, to Rev. Reinhart and Selma Esther (Kies) Lehmann. She married Dr. Ben Lewis in 1948, and he preceded her in death in 1993.
Esther graduated from Francis Joseph Reitz High School in Evansville and college at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. She then helped found the first Kindergarten class with Gas City schools, where she taught elementary school for 22 years.
Esther loved music and was an accomplished musician. She could play a variety of instruments which included classical guitar, flute, and oboe. She played the piano and organ until shortly before her passing. She was the organist at her father’s and her son’s churches. Esther was not only gifted in music but also in painting. She was a wonderful artist!
Cooking was another of Esther’s many talents. The family always looked forward to eating her home-cooked meals. Most importantly, she was a woman of God, whose faith in Christ carried her throughout her life. She was completely dedicated to her church at Union Chapel Baptist. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends, whom she cherished being with whenever possible.
She is survived by her sons: Bruce (Elena) Lewis, Owens Crossroads, AL; Ward (Brenda) Lewis, Fort Wayne; and Mark (Eisha) Lewis, Parumpf, NV; grandchildren: Daniel (Valarie) Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Tim (Karen) Lewis, Erin (Alexander) Talelight, Nate (Gina) Lewis, and Seth (Jessica) Lewis; 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law: Phyllis Holdaway; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, John Lehmann and Daniel Lehmann, and her sister, Margaret Frankenfeld.
The family will receive visitors from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2019, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.
Esther’s funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at the funeral home with Rev. Steve Mitchell and Rev. Ward Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Garden Cemetery in Rockville, IN.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.