Esther W. Traver

Esther W. Traver, 104, died at the Freedom House at the Danville Illinois VA on March 12, 2020.  There will be graveside services at Atherton Cemetery on Perrysville Road in Danville on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 1:00pm.

Esther was born in a log cabin in Perrysville, Indiana on April 19, 1915, to Walter & Rella (McBee) Depriest, the 3rd of 8 children.  Education was important to her.  She graduated 8th grade, but was unable to attend high school as she had to help support her family.  She worked as a live-in maid and nanny.

September 1944, she joined the WACs.  Esther credits the service with giving meaning to her life.  She attended the rank of Staff Sargant and was honorably discharged February 1947 due to a back injury.

On May 12, 1947, she married Arthur Traver.  They had 50 years together, living in Washington Illinois, Barnesville Ohio, and Penfield Illinois.  During that time she fulfilled 2 lifetime ambitions.  She became an LPN in 1967 at the age of 50, and got her GED later.  Arthur passed in October 1997.

She is survived by her twins, David (Becky) Traver of Creve Coeur, Illinois and Annette (Jerry) Foster on Lacon, Illinois, 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, 1 brother James Dupriest of Birmingham Alabama, 2 nephews and 3 nieces and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, 5 sisters, 1 nephew and 1 niece.

Esther was a born-again Christian who loved Jesus.  She’s celebrating with him and family and friends.  She will be missed until we’re all together again.

Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.KrugerCoanPape.com, or on the Kruger-Coan-Pape Funeral Home Facebook page.

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