Esther N. Little

ESTHER  N.  LITTLE

Esther N. Little, age 86, 250 Colley St., Benton, died peacefully at her home at 7:15 a. m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

She was born in Lopez, Sullivan County, on March 12, 1926, one of 11 children born to the late Steven and Mary (Pishnak) Klem, who were first generation immigrants from Austria. She resided in Benton since 1949.

Esther was an active member of the Benton United Methodist Church since moving to Benton. She loved spending time in her gardens and with her family. You would never leave from a visit with Esther without a smile on your face. She loved life.

She married Miles Little on July 23, 1949 and they would have celebrated 63 years of marriage in July. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to her family: children: O. Grant Little and his wife Sharon and Deb, wife of Robert (Bob) Antanitis, all of Benton; her eight grandchildren: Kyle Little, Pittsburgh; Katie (Little) Schlichter, Tulsa, OK; Megan (Antanitis) Aten, Benton;  Rob Antanitis, Philadelphia; Kevin Little, Pittsburgh; Kim (Antanitis) Pauling, Williamsport; Lyndsey Antanitis, Fort Collins, CO; Kelly (Little) Bernson, Tulsa, Okla.; and eight great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are a sister: Rosalie Burke, Lopez; two brothers: Frank Klem, and his wife Joan, Detroit, Mich. and Mike Klem, and his wife Mary Lou, Dushore; a sister-in-law, Josephine Klem, Dushore and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10 a. m. in the Benton United Methodist Church, Main Street, Benton, with her pastor, Rev. Calvin L. Miller officiating. Interment in the Benton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Benton United Methodist Church on Friday from 6-8 p. m.

Flowers will be provided by the family. Memorial donations may be sent to the Benton United Methodist Church in her name.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton.