HOULTON – Kermit Russell Esty, 90, passed into his eternal rest Feb. 28, 2005, at a local nursing home. He was born June 15, 1914, in Sherman, the youngest child of Randolph Lawrence and Annie Elizabeth (Caldwell) Esty. He graduated from Sherman High School and attended Bangor School of Commerce. In 1938, he married Frances M. Gardner, of East Machias, a marriage that remained strong and true for nearly 67 years. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II. Returning to the private sector Kermit became involved in the grocery business which culminated in the ownership of the Monticello IGA for nearly 20 years. Kermit spent his final years working at Key Bank in Houlton. He was a member of the Houlton United Methodist Church, American Legion Post No. 47 and VFW Post 2744. He was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Constance Hopkins Colony of Mayflower Descendants, Molunkus Lodge No. 165 AF & AM of Sherman, the Aroostook Royal Arch Masons, former member of the Houlton Grange, the Aroostook-Penobscot Pamona Grange as well as State and National Grange. He was a member of the Town and Country Senior Citizens of Houlton. In addition to his wife of Houlton, he is survived by a son, Gilbert and his wife, Shirley Esty of Glendale, Ariz.; two daughters, Nancy and her husband, Shirley “Butch” Benn of New Limerick, Delia “Dee” and her husband, William Bess, of Presque Isle; granddaughters, Sheila Lake of Exeter, N.H., Tammie and her husband, Roger “Bud” Nichols of Onalaska, Texas, Janice and her husband, Gerard Pare, of Augusta; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel and Matthew Rowe, all of Exeter, N.H.; one sister, Bessie Martin of Sherman; a sister-in-law, Lillian Esty of Augusta; a brother-in-law, Arthur and his wife, Alice Gardner of East Machias; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water St., Houlton, with Masonic services being held at 6 p.m. by Monument Lodge No. 96 AF & AM of Houlton. A private family funeral will be held 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Naomi Sam-Kpakara officiating. Spring interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houlton United Methodist Church, Houlton Dollars for Scholars or to the charity of one’s choice, care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579, Houlton, ME 04730.
KERMIT RUSSELL ESTY
