John George Esterly, 95
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 7 months AGO
John George Esterly, 95, passed away Jan. 28, 2012, at Generations Assisted Living in Rathdrum. John had a root beer float, sat down in his easy chair to watch the news and went to sleep.
John was born to Albon Jabob and Katherine Esterly on Aug. 1, 1916, in Johnstown, Pa. The family moved to Victorville, Calif., in 1920 and soon after built a new home in Glendale, Calif. John and his siblings attended schools in Glendale where John graduated from Glendale High School in 1934.
John met and married Betty Arlene Headley on Oct. 20, 1940, in Las Vegas, Nev. They were married for 54 years. They made their home in La Canada-Flintridge, Calif., where they raised five wonderful children.
Betty passed away in 1994 and John relocated to Spirit Lake to be near his son and daughter-in-law, David and Peggy Esterly.
While living in Spirit Lake John loved working at David and Peggy's "Old West Hardware Co." until the age of 90. John was very active in the Spirit Lake community being involved with the Spirit Lake Seniors, the Historical Society, Spirit Lake Visions Group helping all the kids have holiday parties, and at the age of 85 was still delivering Meals on Wheels and visiting all those folks.
John was known his entire life for being a "jokester" and always making people laugh. Just going to the grocery store or the post office was an event for him as he always talked to everyone and made them smile. If you were in the same restaurant or store you knew John was there too.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents, Albon and Katherine; one sister, Anna Mae Davies and one granddaughter, Debra Esterly Orne.
John is survived by two sisters, Felice Longway of Grass Valley, Calif., and Katherine Atkinson of Camino, Calif.; his children, Jack (Barbara) Esterly of Alliance, Ohio, Lynne Jones of Show Low, Ariz., David (Peggy) Esterly of Spirit Lake, Brian (Cathy) Esterly of Albuquerque, N.M., and Lucy Esterly of Glendale, Calif. John has seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family especially would like to thank the staff and Heather and Tim Gray of Generations Assisted Living for the truly loving family environment and care they provided for our Dad. We the family, feel very blessed to have had our Dad for all the years of our childhood, youth, adulthood and into our senior years. He will be missed more than anyone can imagine.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District, Spirit Lake.
Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Calif. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is entrusted with the care of local arrangements. Please visit John's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.