Esther L. Bailey

Esther L. Bailey, 89, of Goshen, died at Greencroft Healthcare on Thursday afternoon, December 18, 2008. She was born in Goshen on March 19, 1919, to Orville and Ina (Vance) Pollock.  She married Wilbur Bailey on August 6, 1935 in Goshen.  He died May 23, 1977. A lifetime resident of Goshen, Mrs. Bailey established, along with her husband, Bailey General Hauling in 1956.  She worked there until her retirement 20 years later.  She had also worked for Kingsbury Ordnance, Penn Electric and Fidler Sand and Gravel. Mrs. Bailey was active in many community organizations.  She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where she served as chairwoman of the Missions and Social Concerns Committee, was involved with the Caribbean work team and the Latchkey program.  She volunteered on the Bashor Home Auxiliary; at The Window; on the Goshen Sister City Committee; with Church Women United where she served on the General Board; and at Oaklawn Hospital where she received the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2002 for 34 years of service. She is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Firestone of Syracuse; two sons, Kenneth (Ruth) Bailey of Elkhart, and Phillip Bailey of Goshen; five grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Robert Pollock and Donald (Sandra) Pollock, both of Goshen. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Lawrence Bailey; a granddaughter, Cheryl; a great-grandson, Seth Bailey; three sisters, Mary Ellen Pollock, Betty Swihart, and Helen Straw; and two brothers, Albert and Orville Pollock. Friends may call 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday, December 21 and one hour prior to the service on Monday at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A Monday, December 22, 2008 funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m.  Pastor Mike Tarner of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church or The Window.