Esther Gaul

Esther Arlene Gaul, 85, of Bridgman, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, St. Joseph. She has joined God in Heaven and is now at peace.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 PM Friday, October 30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Stevensville with Rev. Gerald Schroer officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Friends may meet with the family from 7-8:30 PM on Thursday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Esther was born August 10, 1924 in Buchanan the daughter of the late Edward and Lavina (Harner) Critzer. On January 29, 1944 she married Herbert W. Gaul and he preceded her in death on May 4, 2008. Esther and her husband engaged in farming and she was a housewife. She had a large garden and loved walking among the flowers and feeding the birds. Her favorite things were shopping and playing Euchre.

Survivors include two daughters – Patricia (Richard) Stelter and Karen (Kenneth G.) Burger all of Bridgman; five grandchildren – Kevin (Barb) Stelter, Scott (Anna) Stelter, Tina (Mark) Laminack, Andrew (Kerry) Burger, and Carissa (Jason) Pressnitz-Rosloniec; seven great grandchildren – Jonathan Stelter, Kylee Burger, Rachel and Austin Laminack, Jason Pressnitz, Jennifer and Alyssa Stelter; two sisters – Louise (Ken) Schultz of Kentucky and Dorothy Barker of St. Joseph; and one brother, James (Olive) Critzer of Galien.

Esther was also preceded in death by four brothers – Leonard, Raymond, Chester, and Ralph; and two sisters – Myrtle Gaul and Marie Schultze.

Visitation

Thursday October 29, 2009 , 7-8:30PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel

Funeral Service

Friday October 30, 2009 , 2:30PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church

Burial

Friday October 30, 2009 at Graceland Cemetery