Esther Mae Montgomery
Feb. 13, 1915 - Sept. 1, 2008
EDWARDSBURG - Life for Esther began February 13, 1915, in Milton Township, Cass County, Mich. Her parents were Ray Palmer Smith and Ida Almeda Roath Smith. Esther married Cloyd Arthur Montgomery on December 4, 1935, in Logansport, Indiana. They were married for 66 years until his passing on January 28, 2002. Esther passed on Sept. 1, 2008, at 10 a.m. in Gratiot Medical Center, Alma, MI. Esther is survived by sons, Robert C. Montgomery (Sun Hui) of Elkhart and Lee Montgomery (Donna Moore) of Edwardsburg; and by daughters, MaryAnn Predebon (Dr. William) of Houghton, Michigan, and Nourma Jean White (Raymond Gene) of Edwardsburg. Grandchildren are Robert White (Debra), Joan Smith (Andrew), Melissa Montgomery, Robert C. Montgomery II, Nadine Predebon, William Predebon Jr. (Sheri), Jeff Montgomery (Kellie) Shane Montgomery (Sara), Jill Boughman, Jordan Montgomery, Jeremiah Montgomery, Michelle Montgomery (Keil Moore) and Josh Montgomery. Great-grandchildren are Joseph and Justin White, Jason Smith (Cassandra) and Alexa Rae Smith, Tyler and Madison Brooks, Hanna, Amelia and Erin Montgomery, McKala, Kylie, Taylor, Adriana, Mackenzie and Keil Montgomery, Devin Boughman, Lillian Montgomery, Christopher, Stephen and Rachael Marie Castettler. Esther has a great-great-granddaughter, Sidney Elle Smith. Survivors include her sister, Mary Montgomery of Edwardsburg; brother-in-law, Clifford Montgomery of Niles; brother-in-law, Dwaine Blackburn of South Carolina; and a sister-in-law, Marrietta Montgomery. Besides her husband, Cloyd, she was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Kurt Matthew White; her brothers, Lloyd and Vernon Smith; and her sisters, Elizabeth Harwood, Vivian Carpenter and Roseanne Blackburn. Esther attended school in Edwardsburg and graduated from Niles High School. Blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, she loved music and was a director for adult and youth choirs at the former Edwardsburg United Methodist Church. She loved life and enjoyed laughing and growing wonderful flower gardens; she was hostess to many, many birthday parties and picnics for any occasion. She studied American Indian Lore and Ancient Egyptian Culture. She knew the songs of birds and loved animals. She told many stories of growing up in the Milton Township area, and kept her friends from her childhood her whole life. She loved to "go fishing." She was a lifetime member of Edwardsburg Chapter #476 Order of Eastern Star; she and Cloyd served as Worthy Matron and Patron, and was a member of the advisory board for Niles Assembly #16 Order of Rainbow for girls, was a member of Golden Agers, and the band booster club when Edwardsburg band members were given their first band uniforms. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years and a member of the Monday Evening Club. She was employed by Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Niles and Edwardsburg Public Schools as lunch cashier. During her lifetime she strived to provide loving and gentle care to those she loved; we will always remember her beauty and her lovely blue eyes, the joy she gave us, and her sweet, sweet voice. Well done, dear mother. Thank you from the depths of our hearts. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road, Edwardsburg. The celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5th, in the church, with Rev. Jeff Reese, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Smiths Chapel Cemetery on Redfield Road in Milton Township. Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg. Memorial donations are suggested to the Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road, Edwardsburg, MI 49112; or to Gratiot Home Care Hospice, 175 E. Warwick Drive, Suite C, Alma, MI 48801.
