Esther Willitts' Obituary
Esther J. Willitts, 84, of Brownstown, died at 4:11 p.m. on
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at Friendship Manor in St. Elmo.
No services and visitation are planned at this time. Burial will be
in New Jersey at a later date. Hohlt & File Funeral Home in
Vandalia was in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Friendship
Manor.
Mrs. Willitts was born on April 28, 1927, in Vandalia, the daughter
of William and O'Dean Cripe Gelsinger. She was married to Jay Paul
Willitts Sr.
She was a homemaker and was affiliated with the Methodist
faith.
She is survived by a son, Jay Paul Willitts II of Johnson City;
daughter, Vivian Barfield of New Jersey; brothers, Charles
Gelsinger of Bluff City, Bill Gelsinger and his wife Ada of
Decatur, and Jim Gelsinger and his wife Alice of Centralia;
sisters, Flossie Johnson of Arkansas, Rosemary Case of Vandalia,
Ella Lockart of Shelbyville, Bernideau Rush of Kentucky, Lois and
her husband Darrel Finley of St. Elmo, Ruth Ann and her husband Bud
Shipley of Mulberry Grove, and Sharon Circero of California; and
three granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and an infant
brother.
What’s your fondest memory of Esther Willitts?
What’s a lesson you learned from Esther Willitts?
Share a story where Esther Willitts' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Esther Willitts you’ll never forget.
How did Esther Willitts make you smile?

