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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Donna Charlene
Bower Essman
March 28, 1946 – August 9, 2009
Obituary
Donna Charlene Bower Essman, 63
Donna Charlene Bower Essman 63, of Portsmouth went to the Lord on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family and close friends after courageously fighting a long illness.
Donna was born to the late George Ernest (Ernie) and Mary Helen Lovejoy Bower on March 28, 1946. Donna was a member of the Portsmouth West Class of 1964 and a Graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Elder. More recently she became a member of Christ Community Church.
Donna was a beloved teacher at New Boston Schools for 16 years and at Portsmouth City Schools for 4 years. She taught pre-school for two years and provided many In-Services for teachers for the Scioto County ESC. She dedicated many hours to her students and loved each of them dearly.
Donna loved her own children and grandchildren dearly, and spent many hours being a second mom to many nieces and nephews, exchange students, and many other children whom she embraced and loved as though they were her own.
In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by a sister, Loretta Grace Henderson, her nephew Scott Hamilton, and a niece Aleesha Essman.
She is survived by her husband, George Allen Essman whom she married on June 6, 1965. Also surviving are daughters Julie Marie Brunner (Larry), Amy Sue O'Dell (Lynn, Jr.), Trisha LeAnne Schmidt (Andy), and a son, George Allen Essman, Jr. (Julie). She had five grandchildren who were the light of her life, Shane Curtis and Lauren Marie Brunner, Hadyn Brooke Schmidt, Carson Allen Essman, and Colton Joseph O'Dell. She is also survived by three sisters, Mary Alice Dunham (Bill), Dolcia Ann Hamilton, Catherine Jean Ratcliff (Dallas) and many nieces and nephews. Donna loved pets dearly and leaves behind three Miniature Schnauzers.
Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Wednesday August 12, 2009 at Christ Community Church in Portsmouth with Reverend Ralph Clay officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the church starting at 2:00 PM on Wednesday.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Donna's honor may be made to Portsmouth West Class of 1964 c/o Ralph Flowers of Minford or Cirque d'Art Theatre in Portsmouth, Ohio. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com
Donna Charlene Bower Essman 63, of Portsmouth went to the Lord on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family and close friends after courageously fighting a long illness.
Donna was born to the late George Ernest (Ernie) and Mary Helen Lovejoy Bower on March 28, 1946. Donna was a member of the Portsmouth West Class of 1964 and a Graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Elder. More recently she became a member of Christ Community Church.
Donna was a beloved teacher at New Boston Schools for 16 years and at Portsmouth City Schools for 4 years. She taught pre-school for two years and provided many In-Services for teachers for the Scioto County ESC. She dedicated many hours to her students and loved each of them dearly.
Donna loved her own children and grandchildren dearly, and spent many hours being a second mom to many nieces and nephews, exchange students, and many other children whom she embraced and loved as though they were her own.
In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by a sister, Loretta Grace Henderson, her nephew Scott Hamilton, and a niece Aleesha Essman.
She is survived by her husband, George Allen Essman whom she married on June 6, 1965. Also surviving are daughters Julie Marie Brunner (Larry), Amy Sue O'Dell (Lynn, Jr.), Trisha LeAnne Schmidt (Andy), and a son, George Allen Essman, Jr. (Julie). She had five grandchildren who were the light of her life, Shane Curtis and Lauren Marie Brunner, Hadyn Brooke Schmidt, Carson Allen Essman, and Colton Joseph O'Dell. She is also survived by three sisters, Mary Alice Dunham (Bill), Dolcia Ann Hamilton, Catherine Jean Ratcliff (Dallas) and many nieces and nephews. Donna loved pets dearly and leaves behind three Miniature Schnauzers.
Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Wednesday August 12, 2009 at Christ Community Church in Portsmouth with Reverend Ralph Clay officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the church starting at 2:00 PM on Wednesday.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Donna's honor may be made to Portsmouth West Class of 1964 c/o Ralph Flowers of Minford or Cirque d'Art Theatre in Portsmouth, Ohio. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com
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