Esther Elizabeth Brown

Esther Elizabeth Brown (Smith), age 92 of Vandalia, passed away Thursday, September 25, 2025. Esther was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 10, 1933. She graduated from Lexington Sr. High School (MA) Class of 1950 and Fisher Jr. College, Boston, MA, completing a 2 year stenographic course. She married Foster F. Brown (“Bud”) on Sept. 12, 1953. They spent 4 years at Lowery AFB, in Denver, Colorado, and after Foster’s USAF discharge, they moved to Vandalia, Ohio. Esther loved her family and she was an excellent homemaker. She loved sewing, cooking, flower gardening, birdwatching, playing bridge, raising dogs, and OHIO STATE Football. She and Bud were active volunteers with the Vandalia Lions Club and raised 15 puppies in a 20 year span for the Canine Companions charity. She was a member of Shiloh Church U.C.C. She loved to cook and enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings, using her mother’s fine Wedgwood China. She was the business office director at the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for many years in Vandalia, OH and Pittsburgh, PA. She loved flower gardening and was the V-B Federation Gardener of the Year in 1972. Preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Foster, in 2023.

Survived by 3 children, Steven (Sheri), Glenn (Debra) and Karen Thompson (Dave); 11 grandchildren, Alicia (Justin), Suzanne, Theresa, Melissa (Josh), Mitchell (Rachel), Bobby, Brian, Nate (Amber), Nick (Julia), Jesse & Corey; 9 great grandchildren, Dylan, Carmen, Sonya, Hazel, Hannah, Nik, Azlyn, Liam & Pierce; 1 great-great grandchild, Azula; many other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends 12-2 p.m. Saturday October 11, 2025 at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia, with the memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. Rev. Jay McMillen, officiating. Condolences can be shared at www.MortonWhetstoneFH.com