Esther I. Hirschy, 84 years old and a lifelong resident of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2006 at her residence. She was born on Wednesday, October 26, 1921 in Adams County, Indiana the daughter of the late Arthur Baumgartner and the late Josephine (Bowman) Baumgartner. She married Kenneth E. Hirschy on March 20, 1946 in Decatur, Indiana. He died on August 31, 2003. Esther was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church and the Ladies of the Moose, Decatur. Surviving are her son, Kenneth E. Hirschy Jr. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, son, Gilbert A. Hirschy of Fort Wayne, Indiana, daughter, Linda K. (Burel) Hirschy-Tyner of Elwood, Indiana, daughter, Dorene S. (Gary) Wilson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Preceding Esther in death were two brothers, Wilson & Melvin Baumgartner and two sisters, Martha Gantz & Mary Johnson. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2006 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Jester officiating. Interment will follow in the M.R.E. Cemetery. Friends will be received from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Porter Auditorium at Woodcrest Nursing Home and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 18 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana. Preferred memorial are to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.
