Esther J McEvoy Obituary (1924 - 2020)

Esther J. McEvoy of Mt. Zion, IL, our dear mother and grandmother, passed away December 20, 2020. Esther was born in Ford City, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 1924 to Clarence Frederick and Jennie Rose Burdett. She was the seventh born of eight children. Esther had a happy, idyllic childhood, growing up in a large family. Many of her aunts, uncles, and cousins lived only a door or two away. Esther's family spent summers at their family camp in the nearby hills. She played, explored, and learned to have a great appreciation of nature. Esther graduated from Ford City High School in 1942, when many of her classmates joined the war effort during World War II. Because she was an excellent math and science student, she was recruited by Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) to work in the laboratory of the Ford City glass plant. She married Richard J. McEvoy, the love of her life, on May 28, 1949. He was the handsome and brave Army Air Corps soldier, who just happened to live on the opposite corner of her block. They were married for 55 years and raised three children. In 1960, Esther and Richard moved the family to their home in Mt. Zion, IL. Her family was her greatest joy. Esther so loved having her home packed with children and grandchildren for large family celebrations. Esther was creative, artistic, loved to read, and she was very patriotic. Esther and Richard loved to travel, visit with family, fish for crappie in their boat, attend any event of their grandchildren, and they were enthusiastic ballroom dancers. Esther retired from the Mt. Zion Post Office where she worked as a clerk-carrier. She was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. Esther is survived by her children: Roseanna Wiegand and her husband Rod of Decatur; Richard J McEvoy, Jr. and his wife Eva of Hammond, IN; Judy Ragan and her husband Danny of Decatur; grandchildren: Jim Wiegand and his wife Sherry of Bloomington, IL; Shelly Kotynek and her husband Joe of Logan, UT, Ricky McEvoy of Hammond, IN; Beth Chandler and her husband Ryan of Philo, IL; Sean Ragan and his wife Brooke of Decatur; Katy Moore and her husband Jake of Decatur; great-grandchildren: Austin Wiegand, Ally Wiegand, James Kotynek, Lily Chandler, Penn Ragan, Emelia Moore, Dixie Moore, Jake Moore and Gina Moore; brother Fred Burdett and his wife Louise of Worthington, PA; sister-in-law Myrtle Benson and her husband William of Ford City, PA; and sister-in-law Florence Burdett of Ford City, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Clyde, Clair, Lloyd, and Jack Burdett, and sisters Edna Faulx and Elsie Hartman. The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. John DiMondo for the love and care he gave to our mother over all the years. A private family service will be held at the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion is assisting the family with services. Memorials may be made in Esther's memory to the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, PO Box 199, Mt. Zion, IL 62549. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family. Lord Jesus, Thou hast known A mother's love and tender care: And Thou wilt hear, while for my own Mother most dear I make this birthday prayer. Protect her life, I pray, Who gave the gift of life to me; And may she know, from day to day, The deepening glow of Life that comes from Thee. As once upon her breast Fearless and well content I lay, So let her heart, on Thee at rest, Feel fears depart and troubles fade away. Her every wish fulfill; And even if Thou must refuse In anything, let Thy wise will A comfort bring such as kind mothers use. Ah, hold her by the hand, As once her hand held mine; And though she may not understand Life's winding way, lead her in peace divine. I cannot pay my debt For all the love that she has given; But Thou, love's Lord, wilt not forget Her due reward,- bless her in earth and heaven. By Henry Van Dyke