Esther Blanton Obituary

Esther E. Hood Blanton, age 90, longtime summer resident of Glenn Michigan, died Thursday, May 6 at Golden Orchards Retirement Community. Esther was born December 13, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois to Richard and Elizabeth (Niemann) Hood. She attended Ward Belmont finishing school, and Oberlin College where she was a piano major. She married Walter Alan Kerr in 1940 at her parent's estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and became the full-time mom to her children: Jeffrey Kerr of Amarillo, Texas; Patricia Kerr of Glenn, and Andrew Kensington of Charlottesville, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her other daughter, Caroline Kerr O'Donnell and her brother Bill Hood, and his wife Lorraine. In 1966, Esther married Richard Blanton, and she helped raise his three sons, Randall, Richard, and Steve. Esther was known for her friendliness and good humor, which became a calling card for her travel agency, Courier Travel, which grew out of her love of adventure, history, and travel. In addition, she was an avid gardener, a fastidious quilter, a mean piano player, and enjoyed many an evening at her cottage in Glenn, with her family and friends surrounding her at the piano, singing the old standards. Esther also enjoyed camping and served as a Girl Scout Leader for both her girls' troops. She enjoyed playing cards, especially a game called Spite and Malice, with her 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren,. She played badminton, bridge, and was active in PEO and activities at church. Memorial Services will be August 28, 2010, at the Glenn United Methodist Church with Reverend Julie Cowie officiating. Burial will take place at Plummerville Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fennville High School Music Fund, and to PEO International. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family's online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com. The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, 269-637-0333.