Etha Eisler

Etha Eisler spent her life surrounded by the people she loved. She was a woman of great character, devoting herself to her family and to honest work. Etha never hesitated to make sacrifices for the betterment of her family and loved ones, and it is this quality that made her a courageously selfless woman.

1913 was a difficult year in the United States, as Americans would soon enter the struggle of the first world war. Despite the upcoming challenges, families stayed strong in America. One such family was growing in St. Johns, Michigan, with Ernest and Retta (Fesler) Kuhns welcoming the birth of twin daughters Etha and Letha on the twenty-first of October, 1913. Etha was the fifth of seven children, and one of three girls. Etha would joke that her twin sister always got her way when they were young.

The family moved to a farm on DeWitt Road in St. Johns where they raised chickens, cows, and had a thriving strawberry patch. Growing up on a farm meant hard work for Etha and her siblings, which taught them the value of hard work, only bringing them closer to one another. Etha was especially close with her sisters, and they shared a very important bond.

Excelling in her studies as a young girl, Etha loved reading and did very well in school. When class was out for the day, she would do housework for other families to earn extra money to bring home for her own family. She was a very hard worker, and always had a good sense of humor. Etha made the difficult decision to leave school after the tenth grade in order to care for her mother. Despite her longing to continue formal education, Etha made a sacrifice to care for her family. It was not unlike her to simply commit to a plan of action to help her loved ones in times of struggle.

When they were still young women, Etha and Letha met Maurice Eisler. Although Letha dated him briefly at first, Etha and Maurice turned out to be more compatible, and the two fell quickly in love. They enjoyed going to dances at the local Grange Hall, often went to out to movies together, or simply loved each other's company over a game of euchre.

Etha and Maurice were married on New Years Eve in 1932, beginning the rest of their lives together. They were soon blessed with three beautiful daughters, Jean, Maureen, and Kay. They could not have been happier to be a complete family. As a mother, Etha was loving and caring, showing her girls how much they meant to her at every turn. The family enjoyed many frequent outings, especially meals at the picnic tables along M-21.

After the birth of her first two children, Etha took a job at McKinnon's clothier store in downtown St. Johns. She had many friends and was very sociable, even becoming known around town for giving "permanents" to the local ladies as a lovely hair style. She would eventually begin working at the D&C Store, where she loyally worked at the candy counter for 26 years until her retirement in 1979.

Etha was later blessed with many wonderful grandchildren, who she adored. Nothing was better to Etha than a growing family, and she loved each of her sons-in-law. She often played cards with the kids or enjoyed laughing with them over boardgames. Etha's family were a light to her. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Ladies Altar Society as well as St. Dorothy Guild. Etha was committed to her faith and it was clear to everyone around her that her conviction was a part of her spirit.

Unfortunately, Maurice passed away in 1984 after 52 years of marriage. He had complications with lung cancer. Etha relied on her family to get through this difficult time, and they all helped each other cope with the loss of their beloved Maurice. After his death, Etha began volunteering at Clinton Memorial Hospital in the gift shop and at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, helping residents with crafts. She found creative ways of letting her energy help others no matter what the circumstances.

Etha's health began to decline in 2008, and in 2009 she moved into Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor for extra care. Surrounded by her family and loved ones, Etha sadly passed away on October 14, 2010. She will be known as an incredibly loving mother and wife who truly lived her life in the service of others. She will be so deeply missed.

Etha is survived by two daughters, Jean (Ted) Perry of Ithaca, and Kay (Ron) Atkinson, of St. Johns, five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren. Etha is also survived by sisters in law, Edith Schavey, Donna Eisler and Kay Eisler, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Etha was preceded in death by one daughter, Maureen McLeod, two grandchildren, Pam Haskins and Mark Haskins, sister, Loraine Cornell and twin sister, Letha Bashore, and four brothers, Dean, Lyle, Lawrence and Gale Kuhns.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 18, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating, burial to follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Sunday, with a Vigil Service prayed at 7 p.m., at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI. Memorials may be made to Hospice Advantage, Hazel Findlay Country Manor or St. Joseph School Education Fund.