ESTHER ELAINE SPLITTGERBER, 80, of Gary/Hobart, passed away Thursday, August 24, 2017 in Valparaiso at Porter Regional Hospital. Born on April 4, 1937 to the late Alvin Wilhelm and Dorthy (nee Gvozdic) Splittgerber. Esther was baptized into the Lutheran faith and was later a member of Emmanuel Evangelical & Bethlehem Lutheran Churches. Growing up in Gary, Esther attended Emerson and graduated in 1958 from Lew Wallace High School. Esther loved the arts; participating in orchestra (violin), choir, and drama club, under the instruction of her dear friend and mentor, Ms. Beatrice Sandles. Esther continued her education at Indiana University and Northwestern University earning certificates in computers, business, nursing aide/home health. She was the past vice-president of American Business Women & belonged to Business and Professional Women for 14 years. She worked as an administrative assistant throughout her career, including 28 years with Gary Public Schools, acting as a Union Labor Negotiator. Esther spent much of her life giving to and caring for others as a nurse assistant/aide caring for elderly in nursing homes, home health settings, and as a post-partum caregiver at Porter Memorial Hospital. Esther's proud highlight of her civic engagement was her role as a state advisor to the Republican Presidential Task Force. As a member of the Coalition Through Strength under the American Security Council Foundation, seeking to find peace through strength, she attended Ronald Reagan's Inauguration. Her family and loved ones honor her strength through trying times and seek peace through God's grace.

Esther is survived by her dear sister, Ann Casey Widener; niece Karen (Lee) Splittgerber Bierhaus, great niece Caitlin McGehee; niece Patricia (George) Andros and family, great niece AnnMarie Andros-Serrano (Jesse) Serrano and family: Jessica, Adrianna Serrano, Christian (Destinee) DeBold, Malina DeBold; William Darocca, Dimitre, Alexis, Adam, and Nolan Darocca, and many other friends, family, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by mother Dorthy (Gvozdic) Splittgerber; father, Alvin W. Splittgerber, Sr.; brothers, Mark Martich and Alvin W. Splittgerber, Jr.; sister, Eleanor Martich; brothers-in-law, Bernard Casey and Fred Widener; sister-in-law, Patricia Splittgerber; great niece Jeanne Darocca. Also, preceding her in death was close friend and companion Joe Stanton.

Visitation will be Tuesday August 29, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at Noon at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN with Rev. Charles R. Strietelmeier officiating. Burial will follow at Calumet Park Cemetery. Please call (219) 942-2109 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com to extend condolences.