"So sorry for your family's loss. Thinking of you all at this time. Love, Nathan and Catie Reed"
In loving memory of
Hester May Bushmeyer
January 25, 2014
Hester May Bushmeyer, age 87, of Hull, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at 4:05 p.m. at Good Samaritan Home.
Hester was born December 6, 1926 in Berwind, West Virginia, the daughter of Joseph and Eliza Rye Linkous. She married Merle C. Bushmeyer in Welch, WV on February 5, 1948. He preceded her in death on February 6, 1986.
Hester and her husband Merle ran the family farm near Hull, Illinois. Hester was active with starting a school for the handicapped in Barry, Illinois. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hannibal, Missouri and she loved her lunches with the McDonald's ladies in Hannibal. She liked to bowl, but her major interest was her family. She was a loving wife and mother, and 'adopted' her loving caregivers who made it possible for her to stay in her home and near her family. She especially loved little children and was so loyal to her native state of Virginia.
Survivors include five children, Gary (Mary Kaye) Bushmeyer of Quincy, Donna (Jim) Koeller of New Canton, IL, Rodney (Carol) Bushmeyer of Quincy, Charles Daniel (Cindy) Bushmeyer of Redmond, WA, and Steven (Lorey) Bushmeyer of Hull, IL; 10 grandchildren, Matt Bushmeyer, Annie Bushmeyer, Calvin Koeller, Carissa Koeller, Joe (Kim) Bushmeyer, Tenille (Noi) Sonethongkham,, Bryce (Callie) Bushmeyer, Troy (Jessica) Bushmeyer, Jessica Bushmeyer, and Kristopher (Erin) Bushmeyer; 10 great grandchildren, Alex, Audrey, Nicholas and Ryan Bushmeyer, Logan, Isabella and Brooks Sonethongkham, Reese Bushmeyer, twins on the way, and Gabriel and Aida Bushmeyer; a brother, Glen Linkous of Kenesaw, GA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hester was also preceded in death by her parents, her son Joe Bushmeyer in 2008, and seven siblings, Blanche Houdeshell, Pearl Hardin, Myrtle Atwood, Willie Benick, Esther Richardson, Roy and Herb Linkous.
Services: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Scott Speer officiating.
Burial: Grand View Burial Park, Hannibal, Missouri
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday January 29, 2014 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
Memorials: Pike County Work Activity Support Group or Camp Callahan
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear mother. We have put a card in the mail to you, Donna, but you might not get it before Thursday. Hester was a wonderful person and a great role model. I'll always remember her and Ann Roland sitting on the bleachers laughing together at baseball games in Hull when we were growing up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family."
"Rodney and family: Sorry for your loss. I only met your mother a few times but knowing how you and her other children "turned out" I know she must have been great."
"I will miss her smiling face next to me every time I go to McDonalds. She did love all the lil' tykes that were in there & wanted to love them so much. If she heard a baby cry she would turn completely around to see where the baby was & never took her eyes off of the child still with a smile on her face. Hester was a beautiful woman & will never be forgotten. I can see her in heaven holding as many kids as she can get her hands on with the biggest smile. Love you Hester."
"Sorry to hear about your loss."
"Please be comforted knowing that many are praying for all of you that loved Hester. She was such a remarkable lady. I know she was a fantastic mother, your dedication to her was evident as you cared for her. I was so fortunate to be adopted by the ladies at McDonalds early enough to really know her. She enjoyed holding my granddaughter last year. And sitting by her one day. Thank you for sharing her with us for so long. Love, Prayers, & Friendship, Debbie Overfield"