Submitted by: Dan Rich

Esther Marie Whitmer

Feb. 12, 1921 - Dec. 28, 2005

South Bend Tribune 12/30/2005

Esther Marie Whitmer, 84, of Granger, Indiana, passed away Wednesday morning, December 28, 2005, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center after a short illness. She was born Feb. 12, 1921, in Wisconsin to Arthur Grebe and Alma Dantz. Preceding her in death were her parents and a grandson, Richie Nyikos.

On Feb. 8, 1941, in South Bend. she married Robert Lehman Whitmer Sr., who died in 1989. Esther leaves behind to cherish her memories; daughters, Gloria L. Nyikos (Richard) of Granger, Nancy A. Mitchell (Paul) of Culver, Ind.; sons, Robert L. Whitmer II (Rhonda) of Mishawaka, Jack A. Whitmer of South Bend; grandchildren, Steven G. Nyikos, Deborah Marie McCollester (Pete), Jack Whitmer II (Jackie), Anna Whitmer, John Whitmer, Angie Stephenson (Adam), Bobby Whitmer, Nancy K. Whitmer, Ethan Mitchell and Tyler Mitchell (Robyn); seven great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Roma Grebe of Lakeland, Fla., Alma Coil of Mishawaka, Ida Wade of Battle Creek, Mich., Clares Murphy of Oscola, Ind.; sister-in-law, Charlotte Whitmer of South Bend; and brothers, Harold Grebe (Jeanette) of Okeechobie, Fla., and Walter Grebe (Betty) of Rock Port, Texas.

A celebration of Esther's life will be held at 1 p.m. today, Dec. 30 in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, with Rev. Bill Schooler officiating and burial will follow at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until time of services. Esther belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and she loved to sew and crochet. She was a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and wonderful friend to those whom she touched. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Millhouse, 25600 Kelly Road, South Bend, IN 46614.