Esther Ann Head

Notes:

OBITUARY

Kalamazoo Gazette,MI; 26 June 2009

Esther Westra, formerly on Kalamazoo, went to her eternal home on June 24, 2009, at the age of 94. Esther was born on November 4, 1914, in Penola, Virginia, to Dr. Luther Jerrell and Lucy Head. She graduated from the Medical College of Virginia with a degree in nursing, and headed to the University of Michigan to earn her certificate in public health nursing. There she met Peter Westra, whom she married on September 17, 1940.

Peter preceded her in death in 1986, as did their daughter Patricia in 1995. Esther is survived by six children and their spouses, Elsa and John VanHekken (Indianapolis, IN); Elizabeth and Donald Retsema (Oaklawn, IL); Jack and Muriel Westra (Kalamazoo); Rachel and Douglas Plasman (Grand Rapids); Richard Westra (Grand Rapids); and Rebecca and Michael Winegar (Portage). She is also survived by 23 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law Rose Westra; a brother-in-law Johan Westra; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Esther retired from the Visiting Nurse Association in 1986, and served as a VNA hospice volunteer well into her eighties. She was a long time member of Second Christian Reformed Church. She continued to serve her Lord and others by volunteering in many different capacities. She will long be remembered for her generous spirit, her hospitality, and her ready smile.

The family wishes to thank all those who treasured Esther throughout her lifetime and those who loved and cared for her at Breton Manor.

Visitation will be held at Joldersma and Klein Funeral Home 6-8 PM on Friday June 26, 2009 and at the church one hour prior to the 11:00 service on Saturday June 27, 2009. The funeral will be at Second Christian Reformed Church with private interment to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Christian Schools 2121 Stadium Dr. Kalamazoo, MI 49008. JOLDERSMA & KLEIN, 917 S. Burdick



Birth:
Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Esther A. Westra
Last Residence: 49006 Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan
BORN: 4 Nov 1914
Died: 24 Jun 2009
State (Year) SSN issued: Michigan (1960-1961)

Esther married Peter Westra. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From Find A Grave:

Luther was the son of Marcena Watts Head and his wife Elizabeth Esther Jerrell. He was born near Penola.

He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and in 1903 of the University College of Medicine in Richmond. He served as an intern at the Retreat for the Sick in Richmond, before settling down to practice in Carolina County. He was a member of the Caroline County School Board for over 30 years and a steward of St. Paul's Methodist Church.

Luther married Lucy Gwynn Fox on June 7, 1905. They had eight children: an infant son, who died in 1906, Dorothy Elizabeth Head Thomas, Rachel Margaret Head (1908-1918), Luther Jerrell Head, Jr., James Edward Head, Esther Ann Head Westra, Lucy Fleet Head Saunders and Mary Elliott Head Grahek.

Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=93698328

Luther married Lucy Gwynn Fox. Lucy (daughter of Richard Woolfolk Fox and Elizabeth Temple (Lizzie) Fleet) was born 17 Sep 1877, King William Co. VA; died 11 Aug 1944, Caroline Co. VA; was buried , Wrights Burying Ground, Ladysmith, Caroline Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From Find A Grave:

Lucy was the daughter of Richard Woolfolk Fox, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth Temple Fleet.

Lucy married Dr. Luther Jerrell Head on June 7, 1905. They had eight children: an infant son, who died in 1906, Dorothy Elizabeth Head Thomas, Rachel Margaret Head (1908-1918), Luther Jerrell Head, Jr., James Edward Head, Esther Ann Head Westra, Lucy Fleet Head Saunders and Mary Elliott Head Grahek.

Per the Caroline Progress Newspaper of August 17th, "she was killed instantly as she was waiting for a bus, when a north-bound army truck went out of control, hit a tree, which struck Mrs. Head to the ground".

Buried:
Grave location, tombstone photo, and biography:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=93698013

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5206851

Richard married Elizabeth Temple (Lizzie) Fleet. Elizabeth was born 20 Apr 1855; died 01 May 1899, King William Co. VA; was buried , Corinth Christian Church Cemetery, Enfield, King William Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Fox&GSiman=1&GScid=312377&GRid=5206858&

Notes:

Buried:
Graveyard location and cemetery photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58997867
There is no marker for this individual.

Richard married Mary Elliott TRENT. Mary (daughter of George R. TRENT and Mary E. WALKER) was born 1814, Virginia; died 1872, Virginia; was buried , Retreat Cemetery, Aylett, King William Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Cemetery location and graveyard location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58998207

There is no marker for this individual.