Esther Cantley

On Nov. 13, 2016, Esther Cantley went to her Heavenly homecoming. She passed away with family at her side at Mesa Manor Care Center, Grand Junction, Colo. Esther was born on Nov. 15, 1928, in Grant County, Kansas, to Rolla and Fanny (Alexander) Lighty. She was the third oldest of eight children, two who have preceded her in death. Esther graduated from Ulysses High School in 1946 and enrolled at Anderson College in Anderson, Ind. During her freshmen year she met Owen Chester Cantley, of Beckley, W.Va. They were married on June 10, 1948. In the spring of 1952, the young couple travelled to Alaska. Chester and Esther provided leadership for three years in the Church of God Children's Home near Palmer, Alaska. Esther loved being involved in church missions work and as a homemaker for her family. She returned to Anderson College and in 1964 graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education. Esther and her family continued to make Alaska their home where she taught school in Clear and Kodiak, Alaska. During the summers her husband and two sons commercially fished for salmon and Esther managed all of the camp domestic duties. After retirement from teaching the couple relocated to their 100 acre farm in Cabool, Mo., and then later in 1998 they moved to Lebanon, Mo. Due to declining health they moved to Anderson, Ind., in 2008, to be near family. While living in Anderson they attended Park Place Church of God. While residing in Anderson, Esther lost Chester, her husband of 65 years, and her youngest son, Timothy (Frances) of Rowlett, Texas. In 2014, she relocated to Grand Junction, Colo., to remain near her family. Esther is survived by her oldest son, Shelby (Mary) Cantley of Grand Junction, Colo.; four grandchildren, Scott (Joanna) Cantley of Caddo, Okla., Matthew (Misty) Cantley of Dallas, Texas, Robyn Cantley Shelton of Stafford, Texas, and Elena Cantley of Noblesville; and five great-grandchildren, Justin, Gabriella, Ezra, Isabella, Adrianna, and Alexander. A graveside memorial service will be held on June 10, 2017, at 11 a.m. at East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Ind. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are invited to donate to Park Place Church of God Children's Center and/or the Food Pantry, Anderson, IN or the Lighty Endowed Scholarship at Anderson University, Anderson, IN. Arrangements are being handled by Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, Anderson. www.loosecares.com.

Esther Cantley

November 15, 1928 - November 13, 2016