Esther L. Baxter, 96, of Clifton, formerly of Kankakee, died at 2:18 a.m. July 19, 2020, at Merkle Knipprath Nursing Home in Clifton.Esther L. Baxter, 96, of Clifton, formerly of Kankakee, died at 2:18 a.m. July 19, 2020, at Merkle Knipprath Nursing Home in Clifton.
She was born Aug. 1, 1923, in Browning, a daughter of Howard O. and Inez Robertson Bader. She married Donald B. Baxter on June 27, 1948, in Bader. He preceded her in death on April 29, 2000.
She also was preceded in death by four brothers, Donald, Howard, Harold and Wendell; and five sisters, Margaret, Mary Wilma, Anna, Wanda and Hazel; and one infant child.
Surviving are four sons, George (and Pam) Baxter of Sunny Valley, Ore., Dr. Bill (and Jayne) Baxter of Rockford, John (and Jean) Baxter of Bourbonnais and Rick (and Kim) Baxter of Champaign; two daughters, Mary Wilson of Clifton and Lisa Baxter of Stevens Point, Wis.; 20 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
She graduated from Beardstown High School and attended Western Illinois University. She began a career in education by teaching in a one-room schoolhouse near Sheldons Grove. She continued working in education for many years until retiring from Kankakee School District in Kankakee.
She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She attended Grace Baptist Church in Kankakee.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Houston Cemetery, 15282 Vermont Road, near Rushville with Pastor Matt Haberman officiating. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Merkle-Knipprath Nursing Home in Clifton.
Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.org.
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