Esther Eiting, age 83, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, January 3, 2021. Esther was born December 24, 1937, to the late Henry and Hilda (Schwieterman) Stucke of Cranberry Prairie, Ohio. Esther is survived by her husband James A. Eiting of Versailles, Ohio, and her children Anne (Eiting) and Robert Klamar of Versailles, Ohio, Polly (Eiting) and Timothy Grow of Minster, Ohio, Mitch and Ann (Gusching) Eiting of Versailles, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her son, Joshua Eiting and daughter-in-law, Shirley (Roll) Eiting; her brothers Robert, Gerald, Thomas and Ronald Stucke; in-laws Carl and Genevieve (Ernst) Eiting, Frank and Janice (Eiting) Brinkman and Jude (Eiting) Schmieder. Also surviving are her grandchildren Jacob and Sarah Eiting, Allison and Chance Cox, Chris Klamar, Carl Klamar, Samuel Eiting, Elizabeth Eiting and great grandchildren Louisa Cox and Esther Eiting; sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl (Stucke) and Bill Braun of Anna, Ohio; her sister-in-laws, Karen Stucke of St. Henry, Ohio, Connie Stucke of Greenville, Ohio, Rebecca Stucke of St. Henry, Ohio; Jack and Marie Eiting of Portland, Oregon, and Luke Schmieder of Arvada, Colorado.
Esther was born at home on Christmas Eve Day. Her family’s farm, Stucke Farms Inc, was known for their potatoes and people came from all over the region to purchase potatoes at their farm. Her favorite childhood memories were playing with the neighbor kids, the Roses, and going out to western Kansas to visit her Schwieterman relatives. The work ethic and memories of the farm and Cranberry Prairie never left her.
Esther married Jim Eiting on January 26, 1957, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Cranberry Prairie. Along with raising four children, she was a remarkable hostess, ensuring her home was always warm and inviting whether it be for business, family or friends. Esther supported the arts and many charitable organizations in her communities, including the Versailles Garden Club and Catholic Social Services. She had impeccable style—leaving behind a legacy of elegance, grace and perfect flower beds. Esther’s hobbies included gardening, interior design, travel, reading, playing Bridge with her friends and bargain shopping.
Esther was a loving and kind person who helped others when she saw a need. She had a great sense of humor, liked to laugh and enjoy a glass of Scotch in the evening. Her greatest gift and joy in life was her family. She will be missed by many but especially by her children and grandchildren who lovingly called her “GaGa.”
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with Rev. Fr. Jim Simons celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley Eckerle Administration Center 922 West Riverview Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45402. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com.
