Esther R. Benson

Date of Death: February 20, 2012

Esther R. Benson, 90, of West Lafayette, died at 11:32 AM Monday, February 20, 2012, at University Place where she had resided for a brief time due to deteriorating health.
She was born on March 28, 1921, in Warren County, to the late George W. and Mary Floy Blind Akers.
Esther grew up on the family farm in the Pine Village area and graduated from Pine Village High School. She attended DePauw University for two years, then received her B.A. in Education from Indiana State Teachers College in Terre Haute. Her teaching career began in Elkhart and later she taught at Linwood Elementary School in Lafayette.
Her marriage was to John E. Benson on January 31, 1946, in Pine Village, following his return from active duty as a U.S. Navy pilot in the Pacific Theatre. He preceded her in death on March 10, 2002.
Esther was a member of Stidham United Methodist Church for 65 years, serving as choir director for seventeen years. She enjoyed many years as a member of the Thomas Duncan Hall Board and was involved with various other civic and community organizations, including Delta Theta Tau philanthropic sorority. Esther was also a John Purdue Club member for over 40 years.
Surviving are a daughter, Sally A. Zehring Timmons (husband Terry) of Lafayette; two sons, John D. Benson (wife LuAnne) of Bargersville, Steven A. Benson (wife Sandra) of McCordsville; a brother, Robert Akers (wife Jeanne) of Pine Village; six grandchildren, Courtney Hutchek (husband Jay), Gretchen Zehring Hoagland (husband Nick), Stephanie Aikins (husband Paul), Kelly Benson, Steve B. Zehring (wife Megan), J. Justin Benson (wife Sasha); three stepgrandchildren, Amy Hayes (husband Jeff) , Erin Timmons, Josh Timmons; seven great-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Wanda Stewart.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 pm Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Funeral Service 11:00 am Friday, February 24, 2012 at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd, Lafayette, IN 47909 with Rev. David Inskeep officiating. Entombment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens.
Those wishing may contribute to the Stidham United Methodist Church or Thomas Duncan Hall.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

Light a candle Light a candle

See Condolences

Sally,
I am out of town and just read the news. I am so sorry about your loss. Your devotion to your mother was obvious. I hope your memories bring you comfort.

I first met Esther as a new board member of Duncan Hall in 1991. She was delightfully friendly and very enthuiastic about the hall and it&s history. She took me under her wing and month by month she&d share more about her experiences there and I acquired the same respect and admiration of the organization.
Esther served at the hall for decades, serving on almost all the committees and offices, and promoting it&s usefulness in the community with many events.
She loved people and spoke about her family in loving ways. We missed her when she retired from the board but understood her reasons for doing so. When able she would come back for the annual luncheons. Everyone loved Esther. She was an
exceptional woman, mother, aunt and friend.

Linda Sutter, Thomas Duncan Hall board pres.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.