Miriam Esther Jones, 97, of Marion, and formerly of Rushsylvania, passed away April 21, 2021, at Marion General Hospital.
She was born in Rushsylvania, on November 10, 1923, a daughter of the late Thomas Russel and Mary Ansley Crisler. On December 21, 1944, Esther married Dale B. Jones who predeceased her on death July 5, 1971. She was also predeceased by brothers Charles Russel Crisler, Wellington G. (Dub) Crisler, Welman Dale Crisler and Merlyn Ansley Crisler, and by sisters Naomi June Birt and Norma Crisler Daum.
Esther is survived by sisters Marlene Ann (Joe) Thomson of Valley Center, KS, and Mary Lou Harden of Seffner, FL, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A 1941 graduate of Rushsylvania High School and a 1944 graduate of Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Esther worked in surgery at Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine, until 1961 when she and her husband moved to Winter Haven, FL, where she was employed at Winter Haven Hospital for over 30 years, retiring in 1992. While employed, she taught Operating Room technicians, was promoted to Department Head of Sterilization and Service. She attended Polk Community College and graduated with Honors with an Associate in Science Degree.
The American Cancer Society sent her to Emory University in Atlanta, GA, for in-depth training in Ostomy and Wound Care. Upon receiving certification, Esther also assumed the duties of Entrostomal Therapist in addition to her other duties.
She also went to school in Chicago where she studied all types of sterilization and upon completion was a designated instructor, teaching not only at her own hospital, but also in Orlando and Tampa. One student came from Grand Cayman for this class and she made several trips to that island to oversee the sterilization process at the hospital there. Esther was also privileged to design and equip a new state-of-the-art Sterilization Department in the 600-bed hospital.
Esther was an active member of the choir and missions program at Winter Haven Christian Church. After retirement, she returned to Rushsylvania to be with her mother and other family members, and attended her home church, the Church of Christ (now Rush Church) where she served on the Missions Committee. In early 2018, she moved to Kingston Residence of Marion.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at Rushsylvania Church of Christ, with Pastor John Watkins officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rushsylvania Church of Christ – Missions Program, 170 Mill Street East, Rushsylvania, OH 43347.
Due to the current pandemic orders, please be symptom-free, practice social distancing, and wear a mask.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Jones family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.