Buddy Raymond Esser, age 74, of Anna, Ohio died at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio on January 16, 2019. The family will have a visitation on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA. Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:00 am in Parkhill Cemetery.
Buddy was born on November 29, 1944 in Sedalia, Missouri; the son of Elmer Alvin Esser and Hazel Dean Williams Esser. He was raised in Sedalia and after graduating High School, he joined the Army. While being stationed at Fort Benning he met and later married Karen Inger Smith, they were married on February 11, 1966; they have four children.
Buddy, could fix anything, he loved to tinker in his shop, to read books especially on how to teach himself to do or fix something, but what he truly loved was his wife, children and grandchildren. His laugh was infectious, heard by many, and easily recognizable. It was often heard after he shared one of his tall tales, which he loved to tell.
Buddy is preceded in death by: his parents and three brothers, Alvin, Butchie, and Larry Esser.
Survivors include: his wife of 51 years, Karen Inger Smith Esser; four children, Marie (Jim) Grundy, David (Regiane) Esser, Teddie Esser (Mike Pheifer), SFC Benjamin (Regina) Esser; two brothers, Danny and Jerry Esser; two sisters, Linda Sue Esser and Velma Bishop; three grandchildren, Brooke Esser, Aubree Allen, and Zoey Esser.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Esser family.
