McALISTERVILLE - Esther K. Lauver, 98, of the Northridge Center for Assisted Living, McAlisterville, and formerly of McAlisterville, went to be with her Lord at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at Northridge.

Born April 18, 1911, in Delaware Township, Juniata County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Olive (Auker) Shelley. Her husband, Donald E. Lauver, whom she married on Jan. 1, 1932, preceded her in death on Dec. 5, 1987.

Surviving are two daughters, Elta M. Lauver, of Lewistown, Twila Finkbiner and her husband Jay, of McAlisterville; one daughter-in-law, Roxie Lauver, of Mifflintown; one sister, Etta Bittinger, of Uniontown, Ohio; and she leaves behind three grandchildren; three step grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; and three step great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were, one son, Donald S. Lauver, in 1984; two brothers and four sisters.

Mrs. Lauver was a homemaker, a member of the New Harvest Community Church, of Millerstown, and a former member and wife of the one time Pastor Donald E. Lauver, of the Lost Creek Mennonite Church, of Oakland Mills, where she had served as a children's Sunday school teacher for more than forty years and was a gracious hostess to a wide variety of people. She, along with her late husband, were active as missionaries in Belize, Central America and Aflex, Ken.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, from the Lost Creek Mennonite Church, Oakland Mills, with Pastor Warren Peachey and Pastor Rodney Bower officiating. Interment will follow in the Lost Creek Mennonite Cemetery, Oakland Mills.

Viewing will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at the Brown Funeral Homes Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville, with the family present from 7 to 9 p.m.

For those that desire, memorial contributions in Mrs. Lauver's memory may be made to the Juniata Meals on Wheels, c/o Diane Marshall, Treasurer, 311 Washington Ave., Mifflintown, PA 17059 or to the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences and tributes may be sent at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.