Esther R. Bethel, 92, of Chillicothe, died 3:25 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Adena Regional Medical Center.
She was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Pickaway County, to the late Joseph and Goldie Consolver Speakman.
On Aug. 3, 1942, she married Donald E. Bethel, who survives. Also surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Gary E. and Marty Bethel and daughter-in-law, Kay (Dave) Dearth, all of Chillicothe; grandchildren, Sheila (Keith) McCall, Todd (Julia) Bethel, Travis Bethel, Shauna (Stephen Harris) Bethel and Erin Bethel; great-grandchildren, Kody and Kasey McCall and Kylie and Evan Bethel; a sister, June Quirk of Raytown, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a son, Larry D. Bethel; brother, Orpheus Chaffin; and an infant sister, Sharon Speakman.
Esther retired from the Chillicothe Gazette, where she delivered papers for over 30 years.
The family would like to thank the Adena Staff and Adena Hospice.
In keeping with her wishes, there will be no funeral service or calling hours. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Adena Hospice, c/o Adena Health Foundation, 272 Hospital Rd., Chillicothe; or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ware Funeral Home, Chillicothe. You may sign her online register at www.warefh.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
