Esther E. Holben, 90, of Delaware, Ohio, died early Monday at her home.

She was born Feb. 26, 1918, in Chicora, to the late Laurence and Edna (Hovis) Eberhart.

She and her husband, Bernie, moved to southern Delaware County in 1965; and she became a resident of Delaware in 2005.

A homemaker, she was an active member and leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in both Delaware and Dublin in Ohio.

She enjoyed writing poetry and researching genealogy.

A tremendous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was always caring and extremely optimistic.

Forever a mother to her daughters, Sandra K. (Steve) Sheedy of Surf Side City, S.C., and Melissa Heiselt of Delaware; and sons, W. Dean (June) Holben of Ostrander, Ohio, Neil (Carol) Holben of Southport, N.C., and Larry (Nancy) Holben of Powell, Ohio. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Bernard C. Holben in 2004; a son-in-law, Preston Heiselt; a brother, Laurence Eberhart; and a sister, Ruth Sturgis.

<B>HOLBEN</B> — Friends of Esther E. Holben, who died Monday, Sept. 15, 2008, may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the <B>DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home</B>, 75 W. William St./State Route 36, Delaware. Visitation also will be held for one hour prior to the 10 a.m. Friday funeral services at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 15 Rock Creek Drive, Delaware, with Bishop Phillip Converse officiating. Interment will follow in the Jerome Cemetery.Memorial contributions can be made to HomeReach Hospice, 561 W. Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015.Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.