Esther R. Cox

Esther R. Cox, 100, of Liberty died November 18, 2013 at Sycamore Springs Rehabilitation Center in Liberty. Esther was born March 16, 1913 in Richmond to John Henry and Annabell Mary Lienemann Burkhardt. She graduated from Morton High School in Richmond and on April 15, 1932 she married Russell J. Cox in Winchester. Esther served as Union County Clerk for eight years and as Union County Auditor for eight years. For over seventy years she enjoyed her hobby of photography. Esther’s other main interest were spending time with her family and flower gardening. Esther was a member of Hanna’s Creek Christian Church and Women’s Fellowship, Richmond High School Alumni Association, Historical Society of Union County, Indiana Farm Bureau, Harmony Club, Eastern Star, and R.E.P.A. She also had been a member of the Union County Extension Homemakers for sixty years, and a 4 H Photography Leader for thirty years. Esther was also a past member of the Clydie Club, Bonner Busy Bees, Richmond Photography Club, Richmond German Heritage Club, and the Union County Women’s Republican Club. Esther is survived by four daughters and their spouses: Charmaign Dare of Liberty; Nancy Dare and Fred of Colorado Springs, CO; Virginia Bostick and Ted of Liberty; and Patty Duke Hockman and Dwain of Mountain View, MO; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; twenty-four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and her husband, Esther was preceded in death by a son: Russell “Rusty” Henry Cox; two sons-in-law: Charley Dare and Karl Duke; a grandson: Frederick Jennings Dare; three brothers: Jack, David, and Ladd Burkhardt; and three sisters: Doris Schwemberger, Ruby Townsend, and Annabell Rans. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23rd at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel in Liberty with Rev. Dana Hadden of Hanna’s Creek Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Wayne County near Boston. Friends may visit the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 22nd where memorial contributions may be made to Hanna’s Creek Christian Church, Union County Historical Society, or Friends of Hope. . For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.