Esther Desplinter

Esther M. DeSplinter, 97, a resident of Good Samaritan Village, Geneseo, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the village.  Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28th at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, Geneseo.  Father Michael Pakula will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Atkinson.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.  Stackhouse-Moore Funeral & Cremation Services, Geneseo is assisting the family with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Coletta of Wisconsin/Illinois or Abilities Plus, Kewanee.

Esther DeSutter was born June 4, 1919 in Atkinson, IL the daughter of Raymond and Alma (Rahn) DeSutter. She was educated in Henry County Schools.   Esther married Oliver Harris on Dec. 7, 1937 in Atkinson. They were the parents of three children, Robert, Sheryl and Laurie.  Oliver died on June 13, 1955 in a tragic accident.  Esther supported her young family by keeping area homes and businesses sparkling and supplying them with homemade cookies, pies, cakes and yeast breads.  She was later employed as a seamstress in the drapery department at the former Myers Furniture Store and as a bus driver for Pinks Bus Service, both in Geneseo.  Esther married Edward DeSplinter on April 22, 1967 in DePue, IL.  He died on Feb. 22, 1996.

Esther was a tireless volunteer on behalf of persons with disabilities following the birth of her grandson, Owen, who was born with Down Syndrome.  As such, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Abilities Plus Resale Shop in Kewanee which has provided crucial financial support to the agency for more than 25 years.  She had been named Abilities Plus Volunteer of the Year.

Esther was a member of St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, Geneseo and the Altar and Rosary Society of the church for many years.

She enjoyed doing fine needlework and gifted her children, grandchildren and others with pieces of her handiwork.  She was a superb cook and pie baker, and her Christmas cookie trays were eagerly looked forward to by friends and family, coworkers, and organizations.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Sheryl (Ron Brossman) Plumley, Geneseo and Laurie (Chip) Benjamin, New York, NY; daughter-in-law, Glenda Harris, Sullivan, IL; five grandchildren, Garett (Ellie) Plumley, Prophetstown, IL, Owen Plumley, Roselle, IL, Marshall (Valerie), Plumley, Geneseo, Cristina (Liz Tenenbaum) Harris, New York, NY, and David Benjamin, Sacramento, CA; seven great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, brother, Lawrence DeSutter, son, Robert Harris and a grandson, Billy Harris.

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