Esther Hutton

Mrs. Esther "Lorene" Hutton, age 95 years, of Eureka, Mo., formerly of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, February 25, 2013, at home surrounded by her daughters and son-in-law. She was born in Jefferson City on August 6, 1917, the daughter of Elmer Eugene and Martha America (Holland) Ward, both deceased. She was a resident of Jefferson City until the last 10 years when she became a resident of House Springs and Eureka, Mo. During the World War II years, she married Robert P. Hutton, also from Jefferson City, on February 14, 1943, at the St. Charles Avenue Church, New Orleans, La. She was a 1935 graduate of Jefferson City High School. Early she worked in the Jefferson City Girl Scout Office, the Jefferson Investment Company, 1935-1939 (owners of the Trust Building), and the W.P.A. Administration, 1939-1943. For the Federal Government in the U.S. Army Medical Service at the 8th Service Command, Dallas, Texas, she was private secretary to Colonel Heart Surgeon, Colonel Dental Surgeon and Industrial Medicine Majors and Captains. Later, she was secretary to Surgeon Executive Officer of the 4th Army Fort Sam Houston, Texas 1944-1947. She served as secretary for two different Missouri State Senators from Kansas City and St. Joseph in two legislative sessions. She worked for the Missouri State Planning Commission as well as Secretary for the State Democratic Headquarters. She served eight years as Executive and Administrative Secretary to the Superintendant of the Missouri State Division of Insurance. She retired from 12 years as Claims Technician for the Missouri Employment Security Headquarters in Jefferson City with a total of 40 years of service to the State of Missouri. She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Jefferson City, where she served as the first church secretary for Minister Guthrie Birkhead 1935-1939, two years as the church board secretary, and taught the toddler's Sunday School class. She was a lifetime Deacon Emeritus, a member of the Ruth Circle, and Couples Co-Wed Sunday School Class and sang in the Adult Church Choir. She loved and cherished her family, friends, neighbors, church and home throughout her 95 years and seven months. She is survived by two daughters, Linda Kay Hutton Pulliam (Doug) of House Springs, Mo., and Diane Sue Hutton Palumbo (John) of Eureka, Mo.; one grandson, Jeffrey Absher of Chicago, Ill.; one sister-in-law, Linda Ward of Jefferson City, Mo.; two nephews, Kevin Ward of Jefferson City, Mo., and Jerry Ward of Minnesota; and numerous cousins throughout the United States in the families of Holland, Carey, Herndon, Ward, Eno, Perryman, Schmitz and Weeks. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert P. Hutton on February 3, 2008; her sister, Ruth Ward Haynes; her brother, Nelson Ward; and infant siblings, Victor and Victoria all of Jefferson City, Mo. Visitation will be at the First Christian Church from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2013. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2013, at the First Christian Church with the Reverend Donald Carter officiating. Entombment will be held in the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the First Christian Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com