Esther Stuller

Esther Louise Korthase Bailey Stuller, age 97, of Tampa, FL died peacefully at home in Tampa, Fl, on Sunday, 2/5/2017. The daughter of Marie Leona Johnson and William George Max Korthase, Esther was born on 10/3/1919 in Boyne Valley Township, Charlevoix County, Mich. Esther married Joseph Orrin Bailey on 11/4/1944, originally from Kalamazoo, Mi. Joe died on 12/5/1953. Esther married James Alexander Stuller on 10/16/1955, originally from Indiana. Jim died on 3/22/1988. Esther went to Beauty School in Grand Rapids after graduation from High School. After marriage, she had 5 children and was active in the Church (Sunday School and Vacation Bible School) and in School programs. Esther was a 70+ year member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was also the Community Leader of the Roosevelt 4H Club for 25 years, during which she taught valuable homemaking skills to her daughters and many community children. She was an avid Genealogist, who was instrumental in the documentation of our family history. Esther is survived by five children: Evelyn (Del) Keyes of Nunica, Mi, Joline (Dan) Bowdich of Berkley, Mi, Kirt (Rita) Bailey of Calhan, Co, Donna Bailey of Tampa, Fl and Joseph Bailey of Kalamazoo, Mi; 5 grandchildren: Scott Keyes, Jennifer Clark, Janet Barnes, Paul Bowdich, Mark Bowdich; 11 great-grandchildren: Liberty, Carson and Collin Clark, Dana Schnittker, Christopher and Angela Barnes, Rebecca Bowdich, Samuel and Samantha Bowdich, Lyra and Esther Bowdich; 3 great-great grandchildren: Mason and Gaven Clark , Donnie Schnittker. Esther was preceded in death by her husbands and her parents: four brothers: Fred Korthase of Montague; Norval Korthase of Boyne City; William Korthase of Boyne City; Edward Korthase of Walloon Lake; two sisters: Helen Mathews of Traverse City; Carolyn Kutchin of Grand Rapids. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 11 am, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan with Pastor Larry Brelje officiating. Family and friends may gather to share thoughts and memories after the service at the Church, where refreshments will be served. The family requests that memorials be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Kalamazoo, Mich, or Hospice of Tampa, Florida. Esther was a wonderful Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Friend and was generous, loyal, humble and kind, loved music and had a delightful sense of humor. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her well.