Esther Ann McGillem

Esther Ann (Northerner) McGillem, 93, of Monrovia, peacefully passed away just before sunrise on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

She was born on March 27, 1931 in Oakland City to parents Roy Northerner and Birchie May (White) Northerner.

Esther was a longtime resident of Camby and employed for many years by Flanner-Buchanan Funeral Home in Valley Mills.

As a young girl, she loved to dance and dreamed of becoming an ice skater. But the man of her dreams came along one day, and she traded her dancing shoes for a wedding ring and Donald Ray McGillem’s hand in marriage on April 27, 1951.

She collected jewelry and pretty things that caught her eye. She enjoyed baking, sewing, fishing, pulling the “one-armed bandits” and was a pistol-packing member of the NRA. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends.

Esther was mother to beloved Terry Hendrick, Chris Porter (Randy), Linda Young and Don McGillem Jr.; grandmother to Steve Hendrick, Craig Hendrick, Jennifer Burkhardt, Shawn Young and Chelsea Young; great-grandmother to JT Burkhardt; and cherished mother-in-law and friend to Lisa Giblin (Mike).

She is survived by her daughters, Chris Porter (Randy) and Linda Young; grandchildren Chelsea Young, Shawn Young, Jennifer and JT Burkhardt; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. McGillem; sons Terry Hendrick and Don McGillem Jr.; grandchildren Steve and Craig Hendrick; and her seven siblings, five sisters and two brothers.

On a beautiful spring day in May, she was laid to rest at Fairfield Friends Cemetery, next to her husband and near her sons and grandsons. A small family graveside service fulfilled her last wishes before joining much-loved family in Heaven.