Esther L. Cowan

Esther L. Cowan, Hearth & Home's oldest living resident at 105 passed away December 4, 2020.

Esther Cowan was born August 25, 1915, in Liberty Township of Van Wert County, Ohio. Her late parents were Anna B. (Sutton) & Stanley C. Stemen.

She grew up on a farm during The Depression and soon learned hard work being the oldest daughter of 8 children. Esther attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse after that she attend the “Old” Ohio City Liberty High School and then graduated from the "The New" Ohio City-Liberty High School on S .R. 118. After graduation she worked as what is known now as  a “Nanny” for Dean & Alice Rice of Ohio City, then Esther began her over 40-year career as a waitress in several restaurants in the area including: Yours & Mine, Gardner's Country Kitchen and the Mid-Way Truck Stop, Mercer.

On August 25, 1938, Esther married Eugene Guy "Gene" Moore who died on July 13, 1971.   On May 5, 1991, she and Marvin R. Cowan were united  in marriage, he died on June 13, 2004.

Survivors includes one daughter Rebecca "Beckie" (Bernard) Motycka; two granddaughters: Chantal Spoor and Kendra Gene Motycka; three great granddaughtesr; Laine, Grace and Emma Spoor; two sisters, Flora Linton of Ohio City, Jane (Robert) Stemen of Van Wert; a brother, Raymond (Mary Louise) Stemen of Delphos; step-son Philip Cowan; step-daughters: Linda Matthew, Vickie (Chuck) Ingman; step-grandchildren: Laura (Chris) Henkaline, Nicole (Dave) Webb, Ben (Amber) Cowan, Marie (Ken) Markward, Carey (Marsha) Matthew, Craig (Chris) Ingman, Ryan Ingman, Brian Ingman, Edmund (Lindsey) Ingman, Christa (Mark) Ganger; 29 step-great grandchildren and 4 Step-great great grandchildren. One brother Raymond (Mary Louise) Stemen of Delphos; two sisters Flora Mae Linton of Ohio City and Jane (Bob) Stemen of Van Wert.

Deceased family members include; two brothers, Doyle and Lowell Stemen; two sisters Mary King and Clara Cain; brothers-in -law, Robert King, John Cain, Russell Linton, Jr.; Step-daughter Phyllis Ingman; Step-daughter-in-law Beverley Cowan; Step-son-in-law Charles Matthew; Step-grandson John Cowan.

Esther did much traveling including trips to Hawaii and Alaska and several YWCA trips also. She also liked her Water Exercise Classes where she met many new friends. She enjoyed making quilts, hundreds of doilies and cross-stitch projects, she also enjoyed crossword, jigsaw and word-find puzzles.  This  lady "served" others in her family, career, church and hospital thru the former Lady Board of Managers. Esther lived a long and happy life enjoying family most of all!

Private services will be held at a later date. Preferred memorials can be made out to the Ohio City Fire and E. M. S. Department.
 

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