Clifton Hester

Clifton Hester, 92, joined his beloved bride in Heaven on June 29, 2026. Clifton was born to Walter and Eva Hester on April 11, 1934 in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He married the love of his life, Janet Rose Dowden on December 12, 1953 and had 64 wonderful years together before she passed in 2018.

Clifton grew up during hard times working with his father, mother and three brothers traveling through various states to survive and picking up work. With only an eighth grade education, he managed to settle down in Kokomo, Indiana where he met his future wife and raise his family. Anyone who knew him knew that he was a very hard worker as he had over 30 years at Continental Steel and Penn-Dixie. After the Steel Mill closed down and receiving a very small pension and with a family to take care of,he found various other jobs such as custodial work at the old Kmart and Hills department store to provide income. He also worked at Paul’s Drywall doing various jobs around the work sites. Clifton enjoyed fishing at various pay pits around the Kokomo area, taking houseboat vacations with his wife, her siblings and their families. Clifton and Janet were able to travel a little they enjoyed seeing California, Niagara Falls, and occasional trips back to Arkansas to see his mother. They also spent vacations in Florida with their daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Mike, taking rides through lakes on their pontoon boat and spending time with them. They were also able to squeeze in some time in Florida with Jim and Wanda Chorrushi and their family at the beach. Before Janet’s passing a favorite for them to do was to go on Fridays to various Kokomo restaurants with family and friends. In the last few years, his favorite was to get biscuits and gravy at Hardee’s or the baked tenderloin every Thursday at Ray’s drive-in.

Clifton is survived by one brother, Cleo Hester of Kokomo; children Wilbur (Penny) Hester of Galveston; Angela (Michael) Harmon of Winter Haven, Florida; Sherry Hester of Rochester; one brother-in-law, Jim (Marlene) of Kokomo; 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren with one more on the way and 5 great- great -grandchildren; various nieces and nephews and other distant family members and friends, some old and some new.

Clifton is proceeded in passing by his beloved wife Janet Rose, his parents, Walter and Eva, 2 brothers, WL Hester of Arkansas and Clayton Hester of Kokomo and one son Roger Hester of Rochester

At this time, the family will receive family and friends at Ellers mortuary on 3400 South Webster St. in Kokomo, Indiana on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM with services at 1 PM. Granddaughter Cassondra Hester will be giving a eulogy per Clifton’s wishes. Clifton was a simple, down home man so please dress casual like he would.

Son Wilbur and daughter Angela wishes to thank each and everyone who knew and loved their father and mother. In their father‘s remaining time on earth, he was cared for and made comfortable by special people. We wish to say special thanks to Compassus Hospice and their special Nurses, Aid’s ,Social Workers and Chaplain who helped the family in more ways than they can comprehend. Nurse Heather we’re so thankful for you, the advice and the hugs was very much needed, his aid, Molly, his buddy and my lifesaver, thank you, I couldn’t have done it without you. Social worker Beth, thank you for being there to listen and support us through this time. And a thank you to Chaplain Allen who made it possible for Clifton to be baptized, and there were many other Compassus Angels we are thankful for.

We would also like to count as family Angels, his granddaughter Cassondra Hester for the help and advice in how to care for her grandfather, his great granddaughter Destinie Feller for helping with the care of her great grandfather, your an angel would have been a mess without you,truly. His nephew and niece Jim and Wanda Chorrushi who held a special place in his heart through the years, that showed every time they came over, it always put a very big smile on his face. Dad had some very unique relationships with all his grandkids and great grandkids. I personally will treasure each tidbit that I remember. I personally could not have done anything without my husband, Michael, my brother Bud, my brother‘s wife and my sister-in-law, Penny for their love, support and all the little things they did for our dad, all the family and friends and their support as well.