Esther M. Slater

Esther Slater, age 95, of Ionia, formerly of the Lake Odessa and Clarksville area, passed away on Monday afternoon, August 9, 2010 at Pennock Hospital in Hastings. Esther was born in Kent County, MI on July 8, 1915, the third child of Elmer and Nora (Shriner) Shaffer. She was raised on a farm in the country with her brothers, Raymond and Walter, and sisters, Elda and Lois. She had attended the Starr School, Logan School, and for a short time, Freeport School. On March 3, 1934, she married Forrest Slater, who preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 2004. They had lived in the Clarksville, Saranac, and Lake Odessa area all their lives. Esther had retired from Keeler Brass in Lake Odessa after working there for 23 years. She enjoyed her work and co-workers, raising her family, cooking, and making quilts which she learned from her Aunt Frieda (Shaffer) Seese. In addition to her parents and husband, Esther was preceded in death by her sister, Lois; brothers, Ray and Walt; son-in-law, Stuart Rose; and great grandson, Dustin Wilson. Esther is survived by daughters, Marian (Wayne) Duits and Norma Rose; sons, David (Patricia) Slater, Fred (Gretchen) Slater, and Darell (Barbara) Slater; 19 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; sister, Elda Bretzke; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at the Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa from 5-8 PM on Wednesday, August 11. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday at the Clarksville Bible Church. The family has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the Patient Activity Fund at Thornapple Manor. Funeral Service August 12, 2010 11:00 AM Clarksville Bible Church 191 S. Main Street Clarksville, MI (616) 693-2145