Esther M. Monroe   1922-2015

Age 93, of Magnolia, passed away Sat., August 15, 2015 in Aultman Compassionate Care Center.  She was born in Malta, Morgan County, OH, a daughter of the late Floyd and Ruth (Anderson) Torbert, and had been a Magnolia resident since 1968.  Esther was a 1940 graduate of Philo High School, where she was Valedictorian of  her class, and a 1944 graduate of Capital University in three and ½ years, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, and where she played basketball.  Her teaching career began in Philo and when she came to Magnolia in 1968 began teaching  first grade at Magnolia Elementary School.  She was a member of Magnolia United Methodist Church.  She and her husband loved raising their family on their farm in Muskingum County, and thought it was the best life and all their children agreed.  Her family was her life and she calmly let her husband handle the family, but she truly was the rock.  Her faith and belief in God was strong, and she knew the Bible well and could quote scripture.  She was unbelievably compassionate, trusting to a fault, and only saw the good in people.  Esther was strongly principled and knew right from wrong, but also had a great sense of humor.  Everything was positive in the world.  Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Kenneth E. Monroe, Sr., on Nov. 2, 2009, and three brothers and two sisters.  Survived by her daughter, Lisa Monroe, of Magnolia; four sons and daughters-in-law, Ken and Lorna Monroe, Jr., of Monterey, CA, Tom and Penny Monroe, of Zanesville, Rick and Shelley Monroe, of Sandyille, and Steve and Kulanan Monroe, of Canton; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Heather and Trevor Lang, Jason and Karla Monroe, Tom and Tiffany Monroe, Jennifer and Jason Hall, Matthew and Brandee Monroe, Melinda and Joe Farber, and Katie Monroe; 13 great-grandchildren, Treyton, Haiden, twins Grace and Madelyn, Carter, Riley, Eli, Wren, Hannah, Heidie, Jackson, Nash, and Raef.  A Memorial Service will be held Friday at 12 Noon in Magnolia United Methodist Church with Pastor Steven M. Smith officiating.  Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Sandyville.  Friends may call Friday 11 a.m. – 12 Noon before the service.  The family wishes to thank her care giver, Jen, Drs. Grossman and Marsh and the staff of Aultman Compassionate Care for the love and care they gave to Esther.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Aultman Compassionate Care Center, 2821 Woodlawn Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44708.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425