Flint, Michigan
1925 - 2018
HIPPENSTEEL (JEWELL), ESTHER C. Of Flint, age 93, died Monday, April 16, 2018 at her residence. Funeral service will be held 11am Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint, Pastor Chad Short and Pastor Jim Garfield officiating. Cremation will take place following the service. Contributions may be made to Mt. Morris Free Methodist Church. Visitation 12-8pm Friday at the funeral home. Esther was born in Ostego County, Michigan on March 16, 1925, the daughter of the late Clarence and Sadie (Morris) Jewell. She married Harold Hippensteel in Flint in 1945. Esther and Harold were generous and loving with people from all walks of life. Through the years they took many children and families into their home, nurturing and caring for them. Esther was a teacher at Mt. Morris and Kearsley Schools. She was a member of Mt. Morris Free Methodist Church and U of M Alumnus. Esther authored a book called "The White Table Cloth". Surviving are children, Lyle Hippensteel of Flint; daughters, Arleta Hippensteel and husband Jack Sawer of Byron and Lana (Ron) Scott of Flushing; grandchildren, Gary (Angel) Miller, Jessilynn (Bruce) Gilbank, Sarah (Steve) Taylor, Zymixyz (Mindy) Sawer, Clint Hippensteel, Radwyn (Jessica) Sawer and Colton Hippensteel; and many great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Hoffner of Davison and Ann Roy of Flint; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, Harold and grandsons, Matthew and Lucas. Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
55 yrs. ago Mrs. Hippinsteele was my 2nd grade teacher at Tanner School. I still think of her all of these years later. She was my favorite teacher too. She left a lifelong impact on me by her kindness and care she showed me. She truly was an angel on this earth and I'm so grateful to have known her. I'll always remember her and hold her in my heart. Belated condolences to her family.
Laura Topham
September 11, 2025 | School
Remembered By
Carol Kitchen
April 28, 2018 | Traverse City, MI
As I remember both Esther & her sweet husband, Harold, I am sad they are now both gone from our daily lives, but so glad we knew them. Esther was always a joy to talk to & had so many special ways about her. She was so kind to everyone & I know that Gordon Gray & his wife, Ada, also loved her. Our M. E. family has lost a dear lady.
Larry & Sadonna Myers
April 20, 2018 | Burton, MI
I had the honor of having Mrs Hippensteel for 2nd grade at Tanner School. She was so kind also had her for a remedial reading class not sure which yr just know it was at Armstrong middle school.. my thoughts and prayers for the families. RIP you will be missed
Laurie (Michael) Rowan
April 19, 2018 | Sault Ste Marie, MI
"Mississippi", as she had us call her, was my sixth grade teacher in 1973 at Armstrong Middle School in Kearsley. She was a favorite of mine and all her students. I remember her as kind yet firm, clever, creative and humorous. I even wrote a poem about her (not a very good one, but it rhymed) that was published on the kids' Wide Awake Club page in The Flint Journal.
I became a teacher myself, and Mrs. Hippensteel was a huge influence on me. What a long, full life she lived. My...
Suzanne (Kranz) Schmier
April 19, 2018 | Grand Rapids, MI
My brother Jimmy and I had the honor of being in Mrs. Hippensteel's second grade class at Paro many years ago. Out of all of my teachers, she was the best. Always smiling, soft spoken, and love shining through her pretty eyes. She always spoke to my Mom if she saw her on the streets. Years later, she still remembered all of our names. We always had so much fun in her class. I can never remember her raising her voice or getting impatient with us. Our class loved her. A very sweet, beloved...
Cheryl Arbo
April 19, 2018 | Fort Worth, TX
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
keith Hudson
April 19, 2018 | Evart, MI | Family
Mrs. Hippensteel was my second grade teacher at Paro Elementary. I've always remembered her kindness and humor. She was my favorite ❤ My condolences to her family.
Kim (Walton)Adams
April 19, 2018 | Swartz Creek, MI
I too, fondly remember Mrs. Hippensteel as my 2nd grade teacher at Paro Elementary. We learned cursive that year, and I remember practicing c's as ocean waves. Going into education, our paths crossed many times at Kearsley: High School Future Teachers, student teaching, and substituting at Armstrong Middle School. She was so supportive and encouraging, and a wonderful human being! Prayers to her family.
Kathy O'Dell Blue
April 19, 2018 | Burton, MI