Anderson, Indiana - ANDERSON [mdash] Esther Cleo Lawson Harshman, 91, passed away on Oct. 30, 2020.

She was born to Amel H. and Olive N. Lawson on Feb. 27, 1929, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She moved with her family in 1935, to the rural area between Lapel and Pendleton to the Lawson family homestead to weather the Great Depression. They later moved into the town of Pendleton. Esther was then a longtime resident of Pendleton, and graduated from Pendleton High School in 1947. After high school, she worked for American States Insurance Company, bdd and was also employed by Firestone Tire Company as a key punch operator for 26 years. Following this, she worked at the Pendleton Library before retiring.

Esther dedicated her life to Christ as a young girl, and she was an active member of Goodwin Memorial Church of the Nazarene (now New Life) in Anderson, Indiana. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School secretary, Missions treasurer, Choir member, church board member, and church organist and pianist. It was at church that she met her future husband, John F. Harshman (now deceased). They married in 1985.

Esther had a love for missions. In 1953, she had the opportunity to travel to Cuba with friends to visit missionaries there. After her marriage to John, they went together on work and witness trips to the mission field.

Esther was an artist. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, needlepoint, crocheting, drawing, painting, and all things creative. Her family and church were the focus of her artistic talents.

With her marriage to John, she expanded her family to five stepchildren, 15 step-grandchildren, 37 step-great-grandchildren and seven step-great-great-grandchildren. They are Larry (Jean) Harshman of Litchfield, Minnesota, Louie (Carol) Harshman of Pendleton, Indiana, Loretta (Dale) Johnson of Minong, Wisconsin, Lois (Greg) McAshlan of Thompsons Station, Tennessee, and Leonard (Linda) Harshman of Anderson, Indiana.

Esther is survived by two sisters, Leah J. Davis of East Lansing, Michigan, and Lavonne G. Dickson (husband, Richard) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; nephews and nieces: Elaine K. Crabtree, Dale P. Crabtree (Tami), Blaine C. Crabtree, and Amelia C. Crabtree, all of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jill R. Krumpeck (William), Spencer D. Krumpeck, William W. Krumpeck, all of Jacksonville, Oregon, Andrew Bennett of Hasslett, Michigan, Kristina L. Davis (Tim), Jacob Bailey of Howell, Michigan, and O. Wayne Dickson and Tabitha L. Dickson of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Lois M. Crabtree; nephew, Bruce L. Crabtree; and niece, Judy R. Eberlein.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, 200 W. 53rd St., Anderson. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service with burial at Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson.

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