Cover photo for Esther Ruth Brush's Obituary
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1929 Esther 2017

Esther Ruth Brush

July 13, 1929 — October 13, 2017

BRUSH, ESTHER RUTH
formerly of Schoolcraft

Went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 13, 2017 at the age of 88, in Sylvania, OH. Esther was born on July 13, 1929 in Kalamazoo, MI to Romeo Frey and Anna G. (Cooley) Frey.

As a teenager she worked at an ice cream parlor, then a bank to financially help her family. In Rome GA she worked at Celanese, then later in Kalamazoo at Upjohn's, both places as a key puncher for ten years. On May 25, 1967, she was united in marriage to the late Darrell Z. Brush at the Schoolcraft Methodist Church. After marrying Darrell, she worked nights for several years at First National Bank in Portage as a data entry clerk then as a rural route mail carrier near D Ave. for three years.

She received a new piano from her grandparents at a young age and her love of music was born. Esther used her gift in all the churches of which she was a member. She enjoyed singing alto in a trio when she lived in Rome, GA along with playing her cornet and piano. She returned to the Kalamazoo area in 1963. Esther was a member of Kalamazoo First Assembly of God for many decades and enjoyed playing the cornet, organ and piano for church services. She later became a member of the Schoolcraft Assembly of God and continued sharing her gift there. Esther also taught piano to many students for more than 35 years on the same piano she received from her grandparents. She also accompanied singers auditioning at WMU, played at weddings and for school plays. Another love of hers was creating over 150 quilts for family weddings, births and even for piano students. She relished traveling to Middlebury and Shipshewana, IN to shop at the fabric stores to choose the material, then spend months hand stitching each one into a masterpiece. She attended several craft demonstrations to which she wore a pioneer outfit she made herself. Esther was also very proud to teach the attendees the art of quilting at the Berea Craft Festival in Berea, Kentucky. She also liked to sew clothes for her children, herself and crazy-looking ties for her husband. Cooking was not a strong point, but she was known for her holiday prune cake and her Sunday roast beef.

Surviving are her three daughters: Ruth Anne Johnson of CO, Jillonne (Robert) Markus of OH, Brenda (Gordy) Brodhagen of Kalamazoo; son, Stuart Brush of FL; daughter-in-law: Virginia of CA; siblings: David (Sandra) Frey of SC, Paul (Nancy) Frey, Joyce (Gary) Steeby and Phyllis Frey all of Schoolcraft; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins.

Preceding her in death were her parents: Romeo and Anna (Cooley) Frey; first husband and father of Ruth and Jillonne: Charles E. Marable; second husband of 43 years and father of Brenda and Stuart: Darrell Z. Brush, in June 2010; son: Steven Marable and newborn son: Jonathan Marable.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. A funeral service to celebrate Esther's life will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the funeral home. Pastor Fred Betcher of Schoolcraft Assembly of God will officiate. Interment will follow at 1:30 PM at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Rd., Augusta, MI.

If you wish to make a memorial donation please consider The Alzheimer's Association, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes or Assembly of God National for disaster relief, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO or a local Assembly of God church.

Visitation

OCT 17. 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009

Funeral Service

OCT 18. 10:30 AM

Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
To order memorial trees in memory of Esther Ruth Brush, please visit our tree store.

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