Mrs. Esther M. Kerner, 93, of Newton passed away at 3:18 p.m., Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham.
Esther was born on October 1, 1916 in Jasper County, IL the daughter of Charles V. and Josephine M. (Lobmier) Dhom. She married Andrew Kerner on March 8, 1946 and he preceded her in death on March 9, 1990.
Esther helped her country during WWII as a Rosie the Riveter. After her marriage to Andrew she was a homemaker and loving mother. Esther was a member of the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards, cooking and gardening
Esther is survived by 5 children: Andy (wife Connie) Kerner of Teutopolis, George (wife Ruth) Kerner of Newton, Betty (husband John) Grunloh of Teutopolis, Pat (husband Jeff) Bergbower of Newton, Sharon Rose (husband Mike) Brand of Stayton, Oregon; and 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Florence Mason of West Terre Haute, Indiana; and 2 brothers, Larry (wife Shirley) Dhom of Woodstock, IL, and Charles (wife Evelyn) Dhom of Newton.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Jeff Kerner; brother Vince Dhom; and 2 sisters Chris Stewart and Sally Sherwood.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton with Fr. Al Kemme celebrating Mass. Burial was in the New St. Peter Cemetery in rural Newton. Visitation was held 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton.
In loving memory of Esther, memorials may be made to the St. Thomas School or St. Thomas New Church building fund.