Esther joined a Heavenly choir, January 25, 2025.
She was born March 19, 1948, to Lawrence Fredrick and Mayme (Klokkenga) Bruns. She married William “Bill” David Kinner on November 17, 2024.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Carol and a niece, Trudi.
She is survived by her husband Bill, Sister Faye Bruns (significant other, Bill Lawson) and “adopted” sister, Patty Taylor, her step-daughters; Kristine (fiancé Sheldon Fairfield) Clemens and Dawn (John) Weatherford, her step-grandchildren: Samantha (Justin) Holliday, Nicholas Clemens, Kayla (fiancé Josh Faulk) Weatherford and Paige Weatherford, her step great grandsons, Porter and Grady Holliday, sister-in-law, Carol (Bob) Pappas, brothers-in-law Rick (Mary) Kinner and Tim (Cynde) Kinner. She has several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Esther graduated from San Jose High School. She graduated from Illinois State University with her Degree in Education and earned her master’s degree from Saint Xavier University.
In 1970, Esther began teaching of music at the elementary schools in Pleasant Plains School District #8 and retired from there in 2005. She continued to provide Piano Lessons until the time of her death.
Prior to her teaching career, she began at age 16, a fifty-plus year employment in the Competitive Events office during the summers at the Illinois State Fair.
Esther was an active member of the ADK Sorority and KDO. She was an avid attendee of the Springfield Symphony. She was a member and elder of Farmingdale Presbyterian Church and the Women’s Ruth Circle there.
Family and Friends are invited to a memorial visitation on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. Springfield, IL. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the funeral home with Rev’s Steve Smith and Donn Stevens officiating. Interment will be in Farmington Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may direct memorial contributions to Farmingdale Music Department c/o Pleasant Plains School District 315 W. Church St. Pleasant Plains, IL 62677 or the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra Starters Strings P,O, Box 5191 Springfield, IL 62703 www.ilsymphony.org
Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.
Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West. 217-544-5424
