Donald Ester
Donald P. Ester, 91 of Milan passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. He was born April 25, 1930 on Ester Ridge in Dearborn County, the son of the late Alma (Huff) Ester and Edward Ester. Don began working at an early age at Seagrams and then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Texas, where he served for 4 years.
When Don returned to Milan he worked for Seagrams where he was employed for 47 years. He met Rita Jo Volz and they married on June 13, 1959 and they had just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They raised 4 children; Gretchen (Richard) Hooker, Heidi (d. Bruce) Becker of Milan, Eric (Bev) Ester of Dillsboro, Don Paul (Renae Johnson) of Milan, Grandchildren Adam (Katie) Hooker, Alex (Jodie) Hooker, Johnathan Becker, Tyler Ester, Erica (Aaron) Mathes, Sara Ester (Joshua), Taylor Ester, Abigail Ester (Matt), Gabby Ester (Zach), Olivia Ester (Charles), great-grandchildren Caroline Hooker, Declan Hooker, Lane Hooker, Laramie Hooker, Cash Mathes, Mia Mathes, Asher Brewer and Lyric Storm.
Don and Rita enjoyed many years of camping and traveling the United States in their motor home with friends and family. When the kids were young they spent most weekends in the summer camping with a group of friends traveling throughout Indiana. After retirement they were able to travel longer trips to Niagara Falls, Wisconsin, out west, and many more wonderful places. They then purchased a home in Florida and began spending the winters in Sarasota and now Bradenton, Florida. Don enjoyed gardening, fishing, golfing, working out at the gym and swimming.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Melvin, Floyd, Lillian Rodgers, Doris Weitlesbach, and Edward Jr. Ester.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church in Milan, Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. with burial in the St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Charles Cemetery Fund or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home.
