Esther Kleinlein

Esther Bernice (Casteen) Kleinlein, 95, passed away May 18, 2020, at home with family by her side. 

Esther was beloved by many. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Carlos and Bernice V. Casteen; first husband, Robert A. Miller; second husband, O. Lyle Kleinlein; daughter, Mabel Bernice Miller; and sister, Anna Joyce Workman. 

She is survived by her sister, Dolores M. Kurtz of Florida; daughters,S. Carlene (Larry) Spangler of Delaware, Barbara A. (Gerald) Western of Ohio, Marylou S. Miller of Illinois; and son, Edsel C. (Debbie) Miller of Colorado. Her stepchildren are Janet (Gary) Chapman of Iowa, Rodney (Donna) Kleinlein of Illinois, Bruce Kleinlein of Arizona, and Bonnie (Steve) Sorrells of Illinois. She had 11 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 11 step-great grandchildren. 

Born in Versailles, Illinois, Esther was a graduate of Versailles High School. She and husband Bob owned and operated the Miller Feed and Seed Center in Mt. Sterling,Illinois. Following his death, she worked for many years in the guidance office at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Illinois, before remarrying. She and husband Lyle moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she retired from Hewlett-Packard after 15 years in the personnel office. Retirement brought them back to Versailles, where they opened The Farmhouse cafe and established a Christmas tree farm. 

Esther was well-known throughout the Versailles community for her kind and generous spirit. A longtime member of the Versailles Christian Church, Esther enjoyed the Lions Club fish fry and was 

often seen selling quilt raffle tickets at the fall celebration. She was a weekly volunteer at the Versailles Senior Center, where she enjoyed visiting with friends. She also volunteered faithfully at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, where she was recognized for 28 years of service. 

Esther brought joy to those around her. She was renowned as an excellent cook and was always ready to set an extra plate at her table. Family and friends especially enjoyed her homemade pies and noodles. She loved being outdoors, and enjoyed camping, traveling, gardening, birdwatching and especially spending time with family and friends. 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a virtual memorial is planned. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. central time on Thursday, May 28, 2020 and will be live-streamed on the funeral home website at hendrickerfuneralhome.com for viewing by family and friends. Burial is private, and will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Brown County, Illinois. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory may be made to Versailles Christian Church or Versailles Lions Club and may be left or mailed to Hendricker Funeral Home, 406 South Capitol Avenue, Mt. Sterling, IL 62353. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esther Kleinlein, please visit our floral store.