Esther D. Abels, 92, of Coldwater, died at 11:42 p.m. May 18, 2009, at the Gardens at St. Henry.

She was born April 5, 1917, in Coldwater to Jacob and Frances Knapke Hein. On July 6, 1939, she married Leo Abels, who died Oct. 15, 1973.

Surviving are four children, Phyllis (Jim) Hall, Gloucester, Va., Mary Lee (Ed) Gehret, Willowdell, Larry (Barb) Abels, Clayton, and Linda (Joe) Knapschaefer, Coldwater; a sister, Mary Kay (Gene) Tangeman, Coldwater; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Elking, Chickasaw; a brother-in-law, Ben Schmitz, Fort Recovery; 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Deceased is a brother, Elmer Hein, and a grandchild.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, and its St. Ann's Rosary Altar Sodality, St. Cecelia Knights of St. John, Catholic Knights, Cassella, and St. Mary's Ladies Sodality, Philothea. She volunteered at Briarwood Manor, Coldwater CCD, Coldwater Elementary Cafeteria and the Bloodmobile.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, the Rev. Richard Walling officiating.

Calling is 3-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater. Burial is at St. Mary's Cemetery in Philothea.

Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Hospice, Coldwater.