Obituaries
Obituary for Betty J. Esslinger
BETTY J. ESSLINGER, 91, of Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline, IL, formerly of Prophetstown, IL, died Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at the care center. Betty was born March 26, 1925 in Prophetstown, to George and Ellen (Johnson) Kiner. She was a 1943 graduate of Prophetstown High School, and a 1946 graduate of Moline Public Hospital Nursing School, Moline, IL. She married Robert L. Esslinger on March 7, 1947 in Viola, IL. He died June 5, 1984. Betty was employed by the Green River Ordnance Plant and then received a scholarship through the Cadet Corps. While Betty was in nursing school she worked in the tuberculosis sanitarium at Moline Public Hospital in tents outside the hospital. She also spent hours with polio packers, putting warm linens on paralyzed limbs. She then worked at Morrison Hospital in Morrison, IL, as a registered nurse. After raising her children she returned to private care nursing and then was employed at CGH Hospital in Sterling, IL. Her final place of employment was at the Hammond Henry Hospital in Geneseo, IL where she was a charge nurse, director of nursing and an assistant hospital administrator, retiring when she turned 65. She was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Christ in Prophetstown, and was an alumnus of Moline Public Hospital. She loved to play card games, Yahtzee and Trouble with her family and friends, especially her grandkids. She enjoyed giving to others and loved God, her family and friends and her church. Survivors include two daughters, Kate (Ralph) Watts of Streator, IL and Ann (John) McCarrell of East Moline, IL; one son, Bill (Cathy) Esslinger of Frankfort, IL, six grandchildren, Tess McCarrell-Colegrove, John (Amy) McCarrell, Jenny (Dave) Esslinger-Vittori, Amy Esslinger, Andy (Sheleigh) Esslinger, Alex (Ashley Jackson) Esslinger; nine great grandchildren, Connor and Shannon McCarrell, David, Taylor and Lucas Vittori, Brendon Kettler, Keira and Willow Esslinger, and Alani Esslinger, due to arrive in July. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; one son, Hal Esslinger; one grandson, Paul Esslinger, one grandson-in-law, Tom Colegrove; her identical twin sister, Bonnie Newman; one brother, George Kiner, Jr.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 AM Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home " Prophetstown, IL OFFICIATING: Rev. Andy Ploenzke " Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Christ in Prophetstown, IL VISITATION: 9:30 AM until the time of the service, Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral HomeINTERMENT: Riverside Cemetery " Prophetstown, IL
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