Obituary of Esther Laura Jourdan

Evansville Esther Laura (Hartman) Jourdan, 96, of Evansville, formerly of Solarbrown Pointe in Evansville and Bedford, IN, passed away on January 4, 2004 at Good Samaritan Home. Born May 8, 1907 in California, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Meta (Niehaus) Hartman. She married William P. Jourdan and he preceded her in death in 1969. She was a school teacher for thirty-eight years before retiring in 1973. After her retirement, she volunteered numerous hours at Dunn Memorial Hospital. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bedford where she served as an elder and member of the choir. She attended St. Marks United Church of Christ in Evansville. During her life time, she received many honors including the Book of Golden Deeds Award, Woman of the Year and Grand Marshall of the Bedford Christmas Parade in 1990. Surviors include three daughters, Carolyn M. Jourdan of Indianapolis, Wilma Jean Nesbitt and her husband, Don of Clarks Summitt, PA, and Elizabeth Ann Machek and her husband, Richard of Madison, IN; six grandchildren, Susan, M. Bauer, Carrie E. Bender and Laura L. Schutte all of Evansville and Amy Otto, John and William Nesbitt all of Pennsylvania; ten great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; one sister, Aline Knaebel of Ormond Beach, FL and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Jacob Dausmann, husband, two brothers, Arnold Dausmann and Edwin Hartman and one sister, Hilda Hartman. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, January 8th from the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastor Kim of the St. Marks United Church of Christ officiating. Entombment will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 12:00 noon until the hour of service on Thursday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Donations Information The family asks that friends consider memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford, the St. Marks United Church of Christ in Evansville or Reach for Recovery.