Arthur Lee Essary

Arthur “Art” Lee Essary, 70, of Kissimmee, FL, formerly of Evansville, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born June 29, 1942, in Dale, IL, to the late Harley and Pearl (Irvin) Essary.

He was a 1960 Reitz High School graduate and worked at Indiana Bell Telephone Co. (Ameritech) from 1966 until his retirement in 2003. In 2004 Art moved back to “the old home place” in Dale, IL until 2012 when he moved to Kissimmee, FL, where he was a seasonal cast member at Walt Disney World starting in 2007 and until his death. He was a member and a Deacon of the Evansville General Baptist Church. While living in Dale he attended Norris City General Baptist Church and in Florida he attended Victory Baptist Church in Intercession City.

Art is survived by his wife of 51 years, Muriel (Cron) Essary; sons, Harley “Andy” of Henderson, KY and Mark I (Mary) of Owensville, IN; daughters, Cheryl (Bill) Cavalier of Michigan City, IN and Marilyn (Larry) Marshall of Wadesville, IN; brother, Larry (Anita) Essary of Herrin, IL; sister, Vera (James) Fike of Lawtey, FL; grandchildren, Rodger (Rachael) McGee, Justin McGee, Amanda (Zach) Goebel, Amber Essary, Mark Essary II, Caleb Carpenter, Harley Essary Jr., Nicole Cavalier and Leah Cavalier; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. James Pickerill, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evansville General Baptist Church, 2002 Hicks Drive, Evansville, IN 47714, to the Norris City General Baptist Church, PO Box 216, Norris City, IL 62869, or to the American Cancer Society, 5250 Vogel Road, Main Level, Evansville, IN 47715 or at www.cancer.org. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.