Obituary of Theodore Everett Esteph

Theodore Everett Esteph, age 80, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 20, 2017, at The Chapel at Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home with Pastor Bradley O’Dell Officiating. Interment to follow in McAlister Cemetery, Ardmore, Okla. Ted was born on May 29, 1936, to Lonnie and Nellie (Ramey) Esteph in Columbus, Ohio. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1957, serving in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1963. He moved to Ardmore, Okla., to be near his sister. Ted married Frances on April 7, 1978, in Ardmore, Okla. He worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company working on the floor making cola. In 1963, he worked as the Presser for Cooks Dry Cleaners until he retired due to his health. He was a life member of DAV, Chapter 30, where he served as Chaplain and Junior Vice-President. Ted was a lifetime member of American Legion Post #65 and served as Sergeant-at-Arms. He was in charge of quarters at the Military Museum. He and Frances were present at its inception and he served on the Board of Directors. He was a member of the House of Prayer Church and was active in the Food Bank at the church. Ted enjoyed spending his free time fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Cera Rose Esteph, and twelve brothers and sisters. Theodore is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Esteph, of the home, seven children: Debra Kay Ferguson and husband, Danny, of Ardmore., David Martin Arnold of Boise, Idaho, Gary Don Esteph and wife, Glenda, of Palmer, Texas, Sheril Ann McLain and husband, Robert, of Ardmore, Okla., and Mary Elizabeth Houchin and husband, Robbie, of Springer, Okla., Nellie Jean Dunn and husband, Michael, of Ardmore, Okla., Wesley Everett Esteph of Ardmore, Okla., Twelve grandchildren and Seventeen great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, January 19, 2017, at Griffin ~Hillcrest Funeral Home, Ardmore, Okla.