Mass of Christian Burial for Esther Schilling, age 89, of Elgin, will be 10:00am Wednesday, June 22, at St. John's Catholic Church in New Leipzig. Fr Basil Atwell OSB will officiate with burial at 11:00am on Saturday, June 25, at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Newark, Ohio.


Special music will be provided by Paula Rivinius. Serving as casketbearers are Tony, Charles, and Dr George Hsu; Cory Ellison; Gary and Harold Bless. All family are considered honorary bearers.


ESTHER ISABELLE SCHILLING was born September 30, 1915 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to John Clarence and Mary Bell (McWilliams) Asper on September 30, 1915.


Esther married Martin H. Bless and had two children. Martin R. Bless from Bismarck, ND and Sister Sandra Bless from Immaculate, Pennsylvania. As a young mother, she worked at a shoe factory, then Sears, and later on for the U.S. Government in which she retired in the 1980"s.


She leaves her two children, nine grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren.


In 2002, Esther moved to Elgin, ND to be closer to her family. Due to her failing health, she entered the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin. Esther passed from this life there on June 18, 2005 at the age of 89 years.


Esther enjoyed walks in the mall and being with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, Katherine Bader and Sara Fissell; 2 brothers, Russell and Harold Asper; and 1 great granddaughter.


Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00am at St. John's Catholic Church in New Leipzig.


A memorial has been established.