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Esther Miriam Rawlins

FUNERAL HOME

Frank E Smith Funeral Home

405 N Columbus Street

Lancaster, Ohio

Esther Rawlins Obituary

Rawlins Esther Miriam Rawlins. On January 13, 2016, Esther Miriam Rawlins, 93, died peacefully at Lanfair Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Lancaster, Ohio. As a devoted wife and mother, author and columnist, Esther spent her life in Lancaster, Ohio supporting the arts as well as actively involving herself in the business community, with her husband, Harry "Shinny" Rawlins. At the age of sixty she attained her realtor's license and became a sought-after, high-producing real estate agent in Fairfield County with Caldwell Banker and retired at age 82. Esther and Harry inspired hundreds of people with programs of poetry coordinated with familiar musical selections. The well-loved Rawlins duo performed at churches, homes for the elderly, service organizations and holiday gatherings and recorded a collection of love songs and poetry for family and friends titled, "All About Love and Other Things That Matter." Esther Rawlins was a contributing member of the Lancaster Music Club, The Eastern Star, The Rota Coterie Literary Club, and nearly all organizations associated with The First United Methodist Church including serving as youth director with her husband, from 1943-1946. Along with countless loving nieces and nephews both near and far, she is survived by her twin brother, Chester (Mary Ella, deceased); sisters-in-law, Maxine Grierson (John), Nancy Bolton (Larry, deceased); daughters, Emily Rawlins Struckmann (Falk) of Switzerland, Harriet Rawlins Hill of Columbus, Ohio and Donna Rawlins Feist (Robert) of Ojai, California. Esther was preceded in death by her parents Lucille Wilhelmina Christman Collins and Homer Clark Collins, her husband of seventy-one years Harry, her sister Mary Martha DePugh (John) and brothers Wayne Collins (Bertha) and Harold Leroy Collins (surviving spouse, Judy). The family would like to thank FairHoPe Hospice, and also their personal caregivers Mary Lefever Williams and Reba Wentz for their years of devotion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The United Methodist Church Crossroads Building Fund, 163 E Wheeling Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130 or FairHoPe Hospice and Palliative Care 282 Sells Road, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. The Memorial Service for Esther Miriam Rawlins will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at The First United Methodist Church of Lancaster, Ohio at 3 p.m. Calling hours begin at 1:30 p.m. Caring Cremation has taken place through the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Esther Rawlins

31 Entries

LLOYD & INEZ GOODMAN

January 11, 2020

HARRY & ESTHER WERE GREAT FRIENDS. I STILL PLAY THE DISK THEY GAVE US.

Lloyd & INEZ Goodman

January 23, 2016

TO THE RAWLINS GIRLS, SO GLAD I VISITED WITH THEM LAST TIME WE WERE IN LANCASTER. FRIENDS , NEIGHBORS FOR 60 PLUS YEARS. WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS. 2 GREAT PEOPLE I CALLED FRIENDS. LLOYD & INEZ GOODMAN

Frank and Susan Stump

January 21, 2016

Esther was a great lady. My dad Frank Stump worked for Harry and Esther for many years at Lancaster Motors. When my dad showed the first signs of a cold, Esther would get the vitamin c and give it to him. Always looking out for others. She will be greatly missed.

Diane Wogan-Burnside

January 21, 2016

My deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Rawlins Family. Such a beautiful woman whose love and talent wil be deeply missed. May God be with you during this difficult time...May you keep your parents close to your heart...and their memories will never fade.

Beverly Sater Dempsey

January 20, 2016

I'm so sorry. My deepest condolences. May your loving memories bring you comfort.

January 19, 2016

Our singers condolences. I have such fond memories of your parents. My prayers are with your family.
Louise Baird Baehr

Heidi Crum

January 19, 2016

It was an honor to take care of Esther and Harry. What a wonderful couple with a wonderful family. She now has her memories and her Harry back!! I am sure they are both singing away in Heaven with no more pain! Prayers to all the family!

Sharon Todhunter

January 19, 2016

Harriet and family: sympathy from LHS Class of 1964. Harry and Esther are singing sweet music together. RIP

Tommy Clark

January 19, 2016

What a great couple they were, my prayers go out to her family. RIP

Fred Strawser

January 18, 2016

Esther and Harry. They made a difference.

Ira Weiss

January 18, 2016

Emily, Harriet and Donna.
We are so sad to hear of your loss. It's hard to lose one parent, but it wasn't so long ago that we wrote our thoughts to your about your father. You are blessed for their long lives. Take care.

Janet Dickson-Morris

January 18, 2016

What a fine lady! I am so very sorry for you loss. Sending prayers for comfort. They are reunited!!!

Dianne Durdin Gabel

January 18, 2016

So many memories for those who knew and loved Harry and Esther. What a wonderful legacy they left by the goodness they shared, and the talented women they raised. They will be missed by so many! Love to Harriet, Donna, Emily and family members.

January 17, 2016

ONDOLENCES FROM HANS HOFER AND BEVERLY Flower-Hofer

Donna locher

January 17, 2016

Condolences to Esther, Harriet & Donna; what lovely parents you had; they were so important to Norma's life & many many others. May you have peace as they do...nice to think of them singing again, well, in heaven, with no suffering & heavenly accompaniement!

Sharon Guminey

January 17, 2016

With Heartfelt Sympathy. Sharon (FETTY) Guminey, Retired Nurse from R.B.Sielski M.D.'s Medical Practice

phyllis heister

January 17, 2016

My husband and I have such fond memories of the Rawlins Family and the years of their participation in the Methodist Church and the Republican Party. They were the "go to couple" for inspirational "readings" and musical programs. How very proud they were when Emily was the featured vocalist at the Lancaster Festival.

Phyllis and Carl Heister

Rita Martin Stebelton

January 17, 2016

Dear Harriet...What a magical duo. They will be sorely missed by the community. My condolences to you and your family.
Rita Stebelton

Carolyn Munchmeyer Green

January 17, 2016

Oh Donna...I will always remember your mother's kindness and that special smile she always seemed to give me, I feel blessed to have known her.

January 17, 2016

Thinking of you all and remembering a wonderful woman. So many memories of Harry, Esther, Emily, Harriet and Donna. My deepest sympathy.

Maribeth Munchmeyer Wolfe

Patricia "Denny" Preston

January 17, 2016

MY SINCEREST CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY, DONNA. MAY YOU FEEL THE COMFORT, LOVE, AND PEACE OF ALL OF THOSE THINKING OF YOU AT THIS TIME IN YOUR LIVES. PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOUR MOM WAS SO KIND, AND LOVING. BLESSINGS MY FRIEND.

Diane Guisinger Maguire

January 17, 2016

My sincere condolences to Esther's family, especially Emily, Harriet and Donna. RIP Esther and Harry.

jamie mast

January 17, 2016

So sorry to read, now she too is with the love her life. Harrys last few days at Lanfair were bittersweet . I was honored to hear him sing Amazing Grace as the RN knelt in front of him. I stood in the doorway tearfully listening to his sweet soft voice. I knew Esther could hear and feel the music in their room they shared across the hall from mom. I'll never forget that night and the peace I felt when I left Lanfair from my nightly visit with my mother .Two of my favorite people inspiring others from a nursing home as they too were ready for a new journey that would evenually bring them together again❤My deepest sympathy, Jamie Mast

David Hoffmann

January 17, 2016

My heart goes out to the Rawlins family. Esther was indeed a great woman. When my late wife Patricia Weitsman and I were expecting our first child and facing a logistically difficult move from California to Lancaster, Esther found us a wonderful home and welcomed us with open arms to this lovely community. I will never forget her or her kindness.

January 17, 2016

Deepest sympathy to the entire Rawlins family. Many memories are flowing related to growing up with Emily & Harry and Esther. They were both wonderful people and will be missed.

Tom & Susie Householder

Sherrie McCain Upp

January 17, 2016

Emily and Family, Your Mother and your Father will always be remembered with a fond smile. They showed devotion to each other, family and community by their selfless example. My sincere sympathy for your loss.

Sherrie McCain Upp

Bonny Calderwood

January 17, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Esther was a beautiful person and will be missed. She brought a lot of happiness to the world.

Beth Hoch

January 17, 2016

Thoughts and Prayers!

Beth and John

January 17, 2016

Our deepest sympathy. May God Almighty comfort your family.

BB

January 16, 2016

Sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort in God who gives us strength and peace just when we need it most. Psalms 46: 1.

Joyce Rutherford-Frasure

January 16, 2016

My very deepest sympathy to all members of the Rawlins family. What a wonderful & very talented woman. I have such fond memories of her fantastic book reviews & her encouragement of my piano abilities accompanying Harriet. God rest.

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