Esther M. Lentz

Esther Marie Lentz, 88, of Plainfield, passed away Sunday June 7, 2015. Born November 5, 1926, she was the daughter of Claude and Elaine Neal Champion, both of whom preceded her in death. On January 10, 1948, she married Jerome Victor Lentz, who preceded her in death in 1977. Esther lived for a time in the Chauncy Rose Children’s Home of Terre Haute, IN, with five of her siblings. She graduated from Wiley High School in Terre Haute and worked for the telephone company there after graduation. She was a former Cub Scout Den Mother and belonged to the Plainfield Welcome Wagon/Newcomer’s Club and the Plainfield Garden Club, serving as President for a term. Esther had a passion for working in her gardens and raking the autumn leaves. She was also an avid Sudoku puzzle worker. But, most of all, she enjoyed spending time with, and doing things for her grandchildren and her stray, abandoned and otherwise adopted dogs. Esther worked in both Sales and Management for L.S. Ayres & Company from 1969 until she retired in 1988. Since that time (for 25 years) she had been instrumental in organizing annual Christmas get togethers of former Ayers Employees for luncheon and fellowship. Survivors include her four children, Jeri (Michael) Pardieck, Jon Lentz, Jac (Mary) Lentz and Jayne Lentz (Patrick Hopkins); four grandchildren, Angela (Matt) Spangle, Jason (Jessica) Pardieck, Joel “J.J.” Lentz & Jeffrey “Jeff” Lentz; and five/six great grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers Richard “Dick” Champion, Thomas “Tom” Champion, and James “Jim” Champion and a sister Ruth Morris. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers William “Bill” Champion, Joseph “Joe” Champion Frye, Fr. Gregory “Harry” Champion and a sister Martha Burton. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, June 15, 2015 in the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield, where friends may call on Sunday, June 14 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Plainfield. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society.