Esther Dailey Hehle

Esther Pauline Butler was born July 14, 1916 in Berkeley County, WV, the daughter of the late Robert C. Butler and Estella G. Nesmith Butler.  She was a member of the Pikeside United Brethren Church.  

Esther married James Hersel Dailey, a Jefferson County farmer, on November 21, 1940.  Hersel and Esther moved to Charles Town and became members of the Asbury United Methodist Church.  They had four sons, James Stephen Dailey, Roger Hersel Dailey, Robert Arthur Dailey, and  Mark Douglas Dailey.  Hersel passed on August 31, 1958. She was subsequently married to Jacob Morris (Sam) Hehle on May 26, 1963.  Sam passed away on September 17, 1976.

In addition to raising her children, Esther worked at Wright Denny Elementary School and the Towne House Motel, but primarily she worked at the Stuck and Alger Pharmacy in Charles Town, both at the lunch counter and in the Pharmacy, from which she retired when she was in her 60s.

She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Friendly Class and the Women's Society.  She was a member of the Charles Town Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 25 years.  She held many offices during her tenure in the Order.

Esther was active in AARP Chapter 799; a volunteer for Jefferson County Meals on Wheels, Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and Jefferson County Red Cross Bloodmobile.

Esther passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday, July 5, 2000 in Charles Town, WV.  She was survived by her sons, their wives, two sisters, Velma Ott, Harpers Ferry, WV, and Naomi Henry, Summit Point, WV; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Murl Clark, Louise Clopper and Elsie Shriver; and three brothers, Thurman H. Butler, Robert Glen Butler, and Donald Calvin Butler.

Services were held on Saturday July 8, 2000 at 11 AM at Asbury United Methodist Church.  The Reverends Dee-Ann Dixon, Richard Simmons, Raymond Shriver (nephew) and Frank Plybon (husband of niece) officiated.  Burial was in Edge Hill Cemetery. 

Memorial Donations were made to the Old Opera House Theatre Company or to a church of  the donor’s choice.

One of her favorite poems was “Drinking from the Saucer”.