Esther Earle

Esther Earle’s personality shone like a beacon – beaming and hopeful for everyone around her. She was a selfless and giving person that never passed up another in need. Throughout her life, Esther was a model of devotion and love, a smart and funny mother who illuminated and touched many lives.

Esther’s story began on a hot summer day in 1916 in Plainwell, Michigan, three days before fireworks would go off celebrating our country’s independence. Those were exciting times for America, which was being transformed by the innovations of the automobile and the airplane, and not yet embroiled in the terrible conflict happening overseas. On July 1, 1916, Gerald Edwin and Anna Elizabeth (Webster) Hyder had even more to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Esther Mary.

Growing up with her older brother Louis Alten and her younger brother Gerald Webster, Esther and her siblings were very close all their lives. Being the only girl of the family, Esther’s mother loved to see her darling daughter in long ringlets but the tedious process of rolling the long hair in rags became too much for both mother and daughter. Sooo…. at the age of five…off they came, never to return.

Tragedy struck when Esther’s mother, Anna, died on April 4, 1923. A little over a year later, on June 5, 1924, Gerald married Edith May Shelp Bellingham and added two stepsisters to the family, June and Barbara. It was a good blend and Edith was an excellent stepmother. On February 29th, 1932, Dale Robert was added to the mix and was a favorite of them all. Esther and June, being closest in age, were also great friends and enjoyed many of the same activities growing up in Plainwell in the 1920’s and 30’s. And in 1934, both Esther and June graduated from Plainwell High School with a class of 31 members.

While in high school, Esther met a handsome young man named Robert (Stub) Earle, star quarterback of the Plainwell High School Football team. They began dating, and on May 1, 1937 the high school sweethearts were united in marriage. On February 3rd, 1940, the young couple welcomed their first child, Jacquelyn Lee, whom everyone called Jackie. On April 15th, 1945, they rounded out their family with a baby boy, James Edwin (Jimmy/Jim). For several years Stub and Esther helped supplement their budget and helped out Stub’s parents’ retirement with a small welding business in a shop located behind their house. Esther also worked for Parker-Hannifin, in Otsego, for several years. She was a long-time member of the Otsego Congregational Church.

On September 3, 1960, Esther’s daughter Jackie married Ronald L. Esterline and on the same date, six year later, Jim married Anne Marie Perog. The ensuing years were filled with kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, a time of great happiness for Esther.

In May of 1962, Esther and Stub were surprised on their 25th Wedding Anniversary with a party at their home. When they celebrated their 50th anniversary, the family held a big party at the Red Brick Inn in May of 1987. Stub made a wonderful speech, which was highlighted with the pronouncement that he didn’t have any in-laws… they were all his own brothers and sisters. Ten years later, family and friends gathered at Lake Doster Golf Club to congratulate Stub and Esther on 60 years of marriage in May of 1997. What a wonderful family legacy.

Despite a few bumps in the road, Esther and her siblings always had good times together through the years and were bound by an everlasting love for one another. There was always a hot game of Dirty Hearts at the Hyder family gatherings.

In order not to become a “golf widow” as she had been a “hunting and fishing widow” – Stub was an avid hunter and fisherman - Esther took up the game of golf. It became a great passion in her life and she pursued the pleasure into her 80’s.

In 1999, Esther's beloved husband "Stub" died. Relying on her family now more than ever, she took their advice and waited for a year before making any new decisions about her life. After that year passed, Esther decided that she would move to Stanford Lodge in Plainwell. She grew very comfortable living there and made it her home for four years. A little over 3 years ago, Esther moved to a care facility in Lake Orion to be near Jim and Anne and their family. It was here that she passed away on Friday, July 18, 2008 at the age of 92.

Esther Earle did not waste a moment of her life. She filled it with family, friends and great achievements. Her greatest achievement? Leaving behind a legacy of love.

Learn more about Esther, view her life story film and visit with her family and friends Monday from 4 to 7 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams, where funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 am. Members of her family include her children Jackie Esterline of Kalamazoo, Jim (Anne) Earle of Lake Orion, five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a sister Barbara Pallet of Pine Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband, and brothers and sisters, Louis Hyder, June LaValle, Gerald Hyder, Dale Hyder and two infant brothers, Robert and Richard. Please visit Esther’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a memory or photo, sign her guestbook online before coming to the funeral home or, in lieu of flowers, make a donation to Lake Orion Nursing Center or In-House Hospice Foundation.