Esther E. Stark

Esther Stark passed away Monday, April 20, 2015 at the Toledo Hospital. She was born to Frederick and Margaret (Runge) Hahn on March 23, 1920 at the family home in Blissfield, MI as the sixth of seven children. Esther spent her early years on the banks of the River Raisin, a place that she dearly loved. As a child of the Depression Era, Esther left home in her early teenage years and went to work for various families as a domestic. She had many interesting stories to tell of her experiences. She enjoyed spending weekends at the Trianon Ballroom in Toledo where she met Walter Stark. They married in 1940. Esther was an avid gardener and was well-known throughout her west Toledo neighborhood, known as Library Village, for her gardening abilities. In 2000, she received the Library Village Prestigious Property Award in recognition of her beautiful gardens. Esther also enjoyed sewing and began taking on sewing jobs for others in their homes. This led to sewing Catholic school uniforms, which she did for years and considered many of her clients her friends. Esther eventually began sewing dolls clothes and, along with her sister Lorna, sold them throughout Northwest Ohio at festivals and craft shows. Esther loved being a mother and homemaker. In addition to raising her own three children, she had an active role in raising her beloved grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Esther was preceded in death by her sisters, Christel (Ralph) Barchlet, Margaret (Cloyce) Zeiter, Olga (Louis) Haas, Ruth (Ron) Slough, and Lorna (Dick) Gillen; and brother, Martin (Dorothy) Hahn. She was the sole survivor of that generation of her family. She is survived by her children, Judith (Ray) Martin, Robert (Stephanie) Stark, and Michael (Diane) Stark; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a grandchild. Visitation will be Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) from 11:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eleanor Kahle Senior Center, 1315 Hillcrest Ave. Toledo, OH 43612. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.