NORTH MANCHESTER – Esther J. Strike, 78, North Manchester, passed away at 4:40 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at her residence.
The only child of Stanley Leroy and Velma N. Coning Brovont, Esther was born on Nov. 15, 1941, at Wabash County Hospital, Wabash.
Esther was baptized into the Old German Baptist Brethren Church on May 22, 1958, when she was 16. At the age of 19, Esther married her soulmate, Carl J. Strike, on Jan. 15, 1961. The two were wed for 55 years before Carl passed away on Dec. 20, 2016. Together they built a beautiful life and family. For most of her life, Esther was a homemaker, but she also cleaned homes from time to time and earlier in her life she worked at Timbercrest as an LPN.
Esther had a kindness and love about her, which showed in her caring for the elderly. She also relished being around people. During her life, she made many sacrifices for her children, but she did so because of the love she had for each of them. One of her favorite things to do was to get on the floor with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and play games with them. When Esther wasn’t playing with her grandchildren or caring for others, she enjoyed sewing.
The loving memory of Esther J. Strike will be forever cherished by her two sons: Leroy R. (Lorna) Strike, Boones Mill, Va.; and Samuel C. (Lisa) Strike, North Manchester; two daughters, Mary Louise (Floyd) Bowman and Ruth E. (Dan) Winger, both of North Manchester; 12 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and six stepgreat-grandchildren.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Velma Brovont; and husband, Carl J. Strike.
Family and friends may call Friday, May 15 from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, 12546 N. Ind. 13, North Manchester. A private service will be held Saturday, May 16. Burial will be at the Old German Baptist Brethren Cemetery, 12546 N. Ind. 13, North Manchester. The Home Brethren will officiate.
For visitation, the state of Indiana and the Old German Baptist Brethren Church recommend that people keep social distancing, wear a face mask, refrain from hugging, hand shaking and use sanitizer for their hands or hand washing.
The family has entrusted McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, with final arrangements.
