Esther Mauler

Esther Genevieve Mauler died at the Pickering House in the early morning of May 17, 2018. Born on December 9, 1928, in Lancaster, Ohio, Esther was the daughter of Tena and Olen Lama; the wife of Earse Mauler, Jr.; the mother of Anita (Hussein) Albaghli and Joyce (John) Michael; and the grandmother of Walker Albaghli. Other cherished family members include nieces, Carol (Richard) Fuller and Janet (Brad) Myers; nephew, Eugene (Carrie) Lama; cousins, Viola (Jim) Thompson and Russ Woodard; and sister-in-law, Linda Holbrook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Jack North; and her brother and sister-in-law, Doile and Ruby Lama.

A 1946 graduate of Gibisonville High School, Esther was a store clerk in Logan and Oberlin, Ohio during her early years, but following her marriage to Earse in 1949, she focused on her roles as a homemaker and pastor’s wife, who developed deep ties with church friends in Gratiot, South Zanesville, Thornville, Crooksville, Belpre, and Upper Sandusky, Ohio. In an autobiographical sketch, Earse noted that “Esther always enjoyed reading, quilt-piecing, and refinishing furniture, but she especially cherished her work as a volunteer at the Otterbein Retirement Community in Cridersville, Ohio.” After retiring, Esther and Earse resided in Canal Winchester, Ohio until 2016 when they moved to Primrose, Lancaster. Following Earse’s death in September of that year, Esther continued to embrace life with tenacity and persistently reached out to Primrose’s staff and residents with special warmth, even as she showered her family with gratitude and support.

Funeral service for Esther will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday at the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, 405 N. Columbus St, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rockbridge. Family and friends may visit from 6 to 8 PM Monday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Esther to the Retired Minister’s Fund of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, 32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, Ohio 43085.

Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Monday, May 21, 2018
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home
405 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH 43130

Funeral Service

1:00 PM ,Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home
405 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH 43130
Notes: Visitation one hour prior to the service.