Esther Syphers

She was born Wednesday, January 1, 1936, in Oakland City, Indiana the daughter of Rev. George and Evelyn (Almon) Hurt. Growing up as a Baptist minister’s daughter, she moved frequently. She then settled in New Castle, Indiana, where she graduated from New Castle High School and raised her four children. She later moved to Muncie and met Jack Syphers at the First Baptist Church. They married in 1996 and enjoyed travelling with their families to many destinations. Esther planned most of these trips with the grandchildren in mind with scavenger hunts, board games, excursions, and Madlibs each day. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed scrapbooking and various needlepoint. Esther cross-stitched Christmas stockings for each of her grandkids. She would then fill all of the family’s stockings. Esther worked in hospital administration for many years at Henry County Memorial Hospital. She was a devoted member of New Castle First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Muncie, and Old Towne Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children, Tim (Teresa) Reeves, Jeff (Julie) Reeves, Sandy (David) Wilburn, and Joe (Erica) Reeves; grandchildren, Jessica (Matt Burns) Wilburn, Chris (Lauren) Reeves, Matt (Savannah) Wilburn, Josh (Monica) Reeves, Kristiana (Nathan) Grant, Jay Reeves, Kristin (T.J.) Freehill, Katie (Nathan) Friday, Kylie (Will) Reeves, Haleigh (Gentry) Hoyt, and Adriana Cosgrove; fifteen great-grandchildren; step-children, Karen (David) Chabal, Gregg (Felecia) Syphers, Janel Syphers, and Laura Syphers Siddiq; step-grandchildren, Zachary (Amanda) Syphers, Devan (Franklin) Bolton, Ricky Syphers, Rihana Siddiq, Jonathan Chabal, Kyle Syphers, and Joshua Chabal; brother, Bill (Norma) Hurt; and her feline companion, Buddy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. George and Evelyn Hurt; and her husband, Jack Syphers. She was also preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, Roger Reeves.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 6, 2023, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery, north of Muncie.

Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday at Elm Ridge Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Muncie, 309 East Adams Street, Muncie, Indiana 47305 or to a church of donor’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at elmridgefuneralhome.com for the Syphers family.