Submitted by: Dan Rich

Esther L. Dentler

Aug. 7, 1901 - March 7, 2003

South Bend Tribune 3/9/2003

Esther L. (Beaudry) Dentler died at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, in Hillside Healthcare, Yorkville, Ill. A lifelong resident of South Bend, Ind., she was 101. She passed away comfortably in her sleep according to her family. Mrs. Dentler was also one of the oldest surviving alumnae graduates of St. Joseph's Parish School. She was awarded a teaching certificate from the Western Michigan Normal School, and taught school in Vicksburg, Mich., before her marriage.

She married the late Clark J. Dentler of South Bend, who passed away in October 1979. He was a construction manager for the Gaffil Oil Company where he specialized in the building and development of gasoline service stations for the firm. During their 50 years together, they had one child, a daughter, Lillian Dentler Minges of Westchester County, N.Y., who passed away in 1996, and is interred in South Bend.

She is survived by her son-in-law, William J. Minges of Duncaster Community, Bloomfield, Conn., the husband of her late daughter. She is also survived by her grandchildren, William C. and Diane Minges of Yorkville, lll., Robert C. and Mary C. Minges Schwartz of Bucks County, Pa., and Travers and Ann L. Minges Auburn of West Hartford, Conn.; and her great-grandchildren, Jon and Heather A. Minges Wols of Oak Park, Ill. She leaves many Dentler and Minges family members across the United States, and a host of friends in South Bend and beyond.

Relatives and friends are invited Monday to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hill and LaSalle, where there will be visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind., following the Mass. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Joseph's Church, 226 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN 46617; or to The Holy Cross Association, Provincial Administrative Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556. The McGann Funeral Homes, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road at Ironwood, was entrusted with the arrangements.