Esther E. Frey (1918-2018)

Esther E. Frey, age 100, on Tuesday November 13, 2018 passed away in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris, IL. Esther was born April 29, 1918 in Fresno County, CA the daughter of William H. & Johanna (Horn) Meyers. She graduated from Caruthers Union High School in California; she earned a BA in 1939 from La Verne College and she went on Bethany Theological Seminary receiving a MRE in 1950.

Esther married Orlin Frederick Frey on July 22, 1950 in Raisin, CA and he preceded her in death on July 4, 1970. Esther was a Minister’s wife for 11 years; before and after that she taught school. In Fresno County, CA she taught in one-room and in a tworoom school, teaching various subjects in 6-8 grades during WWII. In Kansas and Illinois she taught High School English, the last 21 years in Dixon, IL, retiring after 37 years. For several years Esther did adjunct teaching for Sauk Valley Community College and Oregon Bible College. Esther spent time in Zimbabwe and did volunteer work for the Adult Literacy Organization of Zimbabwe during that country’s first year of independence.

Esther has been in 48 of the 50 states, missing only Vermont and Louisiana, with her children she joined a Mennonite historical tour group to Switzerland, Holland, Austria, and Germany; she visited the Holy Land, and was on a English teachers’ study tour of England. Esther served in both district and denominational work for the Church of The Brethren. Esther did curriculum writing for children and youth, some for the Mennonite Church, and some for the Church of The Brethren.

Esther is survived by her children: Samuel V. (Susan E.) Frey, Golden, CO and Mary Jo (Donald E.) Griffin, Oregon, IL; grandchildren: Kenneth (Rozalynn) Frey, Matthew (Cora Ogden) Frey, Jeremy Hegge, Daniel (Bethany) Griffin, Jessica (Matthew Hart) Griffin, Erica (Steve) Bell, James (Sara) Griffin, Kate (Sean) Triana, and Kristine (Chase Wearne) Frey; great grandchildren: Cooper, Carter, Caris Frey; Lily Rae, Keaton, Porter Griffin; Colton, AshLee, Ryan, Briggs Griffin, Avalyn Henry; Erin, EmilyGrace, Sadie Bell, Oliver Triana; sister: Eva M. Simmons, Parkville, Maryland.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, husband: Orlin; son: William O. Frey; great-grandchild: Memphis Bree Griffin

A memorial service was held on Saturday November 24, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. in the Mt. Morris Church of The Brethren.

Memorials to the Brethren Disaster Ministries, Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris Church of The Brethren, and Serenity Hospice and Home.