Eliza Esther Kapral

Eliza Esther Crabtree Kapral, age 83, died on April 13, 2015. She was born December 17, 1931 in Lawrence Co., Kentucky, the daughter of Charlie and Thelma (Smith) Blankenship. She is survived by her husband Frank Albert Kapral, sisters Roberta Blankenship Morton; daughters Sara Kathryn Crabtree Hayes (David) and Gloria Maria Elisa Lucia Kapral Robertson (Gregory), sons Steven Wesley Crabtree (Cheryl), Charles Michael Crabtree, Bruce Edward Crabtree (Lana) and Robert Anthony Kapral; grandchildren Tina Lynn Neer (John), Jeffrey David Crabtree, David Bruce Crabtree, Heather Danielle Crabtree, Michael James Crabtree (Michelle), Kelly Jean Crabtree Crites (Kurt), Brandi Jolene Crabtree, Jennifer Beth Hayes, Damien SanFellipo, Nichole Kapral; great grandchildren Ryan and Josh Neer, Ian and Chase Crabtree, Elijah and Brycen Crabtree, Michael James II and Megan Crabtree, Christian, Ashley, Cynthia and Kalie Crites, Breana Crabtree, and Isabella SanFillipo.

She was preceded in death by father Charley Blankenship; mother Thelma Blankenship, brothers Herman Blankenship, Thurman Blankenship, Larue Blankenship, sisters Polly Marie Blankenship Tice, Nola Blankenship Triplett and Loretta Blankenship Michael.

At the age of 22 she began working as a nurse’s aide at the White Cross Hospital and then pursued the nursing program there. In 1958 she graduated with honors receiving a degree in nursing. She worked as a nurse at St. Ann’s Hospital, Riverside Hospital, and The Ohio State University Hospital and for two years in Dr. Harry Key’s office. She also did nursing at the Institute of the Mentally Ill in Kentucky for two years. She subsequently did home private duty nursing until she retired in 1991.

Throughout her nursing career Esther also pursued other activities. At the age of 14 she began singing and playing guitar in her church in Kentucky, and at the age of 18 she began her professional musical career, traveling and performing throughout the country. This continued until 1973 when she started her own booking agency, arranging performances for other musical groups throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to her nursing and musical careers, in 1971 she also became a partner in a heating and cooling business.

Funeral arrangements will be made at Schoedinger Funeral Service 6699 North High Street, Worthington where viewing will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5-7PM. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 11AM with one hour prior visitation at the funeral home. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 9571 North High Street.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Easter Seals.