Frances June Ester

She has now been reunited with her beloved husband, William “Bill” Ester, her mother Margaret Bolin, her father Owen Bolin, and her sister Marie Bolin.

June was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 2, 1942. They moved to Kentucky for several years and, eventually, when she was just a teenager she made her way to Florida and decided to call it her home.

June met Bill in St. Petersburg in the late 60’s and got married on May 24, 1970, and moved to Hernando County in 1971. A few years later, her mother would move in with the family permanently.

She set her sights on becoming a real estate agent and went to work at Fleck Real Estate. Her ability to succeed was second to none and eventually made her way into the Million Dollar Club.

Along the way she developed an interest in county government. She spent many years on the Planning & Zoning Commission plus getting involved in other departments and ultimately running for County Commissioner.

In 1988, not only did she win the election, but she made history and became Hernando County’s first female County Commissioner. She ran again in 1994 and won that election, too. She was also the first female Chairwoman for the board and held that position for two of the eight years she proudly served. She loved what she was doing and had a true passion for it. She made many great friends while she worked for the county, and that is a little bit of an understatement, but she stayed in touch with most of them, all these years later. They were her family too.

At the end of the 90’s, June, Bill, and her mother Maggie moved to Tallahassee. She worked for the Leon County Tax Collectors office for many years before moving back to Hernando County in 2005. And yes, she made lifelong “family” friends up there too.

In 2004, she was delighted to be able to call herself a grandma. Her grandson Ricky was born, and she became a totally different person. There aren’t enough words to express how much love she had for him. She was on top of the world when it came to her grandbaby.

In 2012, June sadly lost her husband and mother just a few months apart from each other. On May 20th she went to go be reunited with them. One of her biggest wishes is to ask that no one be sad about her passing but happy because she said she’s had a wonderful life.

June is survived by her daughter, Sharon Grimes and son-in-law Rick Grimes, grandson Ricky Grimes, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, June has requested donations be made to the SPCA of Hernando County (Brooksville) at 9075 Grant St., Brooksville, FL. 34611. 952-596-7000.

A Visitation will be held at Merritt Funeral Home 4095 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609 on June 5th from 10:00am - 11:00am, where a memorial service will begin at 11:00am.