Esther M. Hartman-Johnson of Chester

Esther M. Hartman-Johnson, 90, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 at her residence.

She was born to the late Jesse and Effa (nee Parker) Nance on Jan. 4, 1930 in Chester.

Esther was a bookkeeper for Zacheis Implement Company, Fulford's Fertilizer and Nitzche's Disposal and also worked as an insurance and record keeper for the Gilster Mary-Lee Corp.

She also worked as a certified nursing assistant at Rankin Hospital in Rankin, Texas and Three Springs Nursing Lodge in Chester.

Esther was a member of Pleasant Ridge Church in Rockwood. Esther played the piano for her church and weddings. She also enjoyed writing poetry and doing oil paintings.

She is survived by two sons, Joseph (Julie) Mansker of Waterloo, Illinois and Randall (Amber) Hartman of Ellis Grove; one daughter, Karen Allen of Chester; two sisters, Sharon Owen Sullivan of Missouri and Oma Phelps of Chester; nine grandchildren, Donald (Janelle) Doza, Troy (Debbie) Doza, Schoena (Scott) Richardson, Allison (Douglas) Ludwig, Evan (Alexandra) Mansker, Gabriel Hartman, Seraphin Hartman, Evangeline Hartman and Michaela Hartman; nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Joseph Mansker; her second husband, Adolph Hartman; four brothers, Roy Cluster, Earl Nance, Russell Nance and Forrest Nance; and two sisters, Omega Reeder and Lilah Morgan.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 2020 at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Chester, with the Rev. Tom Klausing officiating. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Bremen, Illinois.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31 and again from 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Chester.

Memorials are suggested to Pleasant Ridge Church, in Rockwood, Illinois.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.wpfh.net.