Esther Louise Schelm

Esther Louise Schelm, 97, of Port Charlotte, Florida died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at her residence surrounded by her loving son and daughter-in-law. Esther was born October 11, 1910 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Roscoe and Lydia (Cooney) Hunter and moved to Port Charlotte in 1988 after the death of her husband, Paul R. Schelm. Before she was homebound, she attended Freedom Bible Church in Port Charlotte. She also was a member of Irvington Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN. Granny, as she was known to her grandchildren, was always quick with a story about days gone by and was known to have knitted or crocheted anything you could have imagined in a very short time. She will forever be in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Esther is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Paul R., Jr. and Jacqueline Y. Schelm of Port Charlotte; brother, Robert (Virgie) Hunter of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren, Deborah L. (Costa) Vacopoulos of Port Charlotte, Richard A. (Sandie) Schelm of North Port, Jennifer L. (Joseph) Mazzoni of Port Charlotte, Amanda J. (Kevin) Nicol of North Port, Robin P. (Michael) Palumbo of Port Charlotte, Paul R. (Lori) Schelm of Fort Ogden, Beth Ann (Ettore) Arnone of Port Charlotte, Amy Jo (David) Kyre of Fort Ogden, and Mark T. (Maury) Schelm of Port Charlotte; along with 25 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in Indiana. In addition to her husband, Paul R., Esther was preceded in death by her brothers, Gerald, Emory, and Frank and granddaughter, Kathy Lynne Schelm. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 2-3:00PM at First Alliance Church, 20444 Midway Boulevard in Port Charlotte. Funeral Services will follow at the church at 3:00PM with Pastor Frank Vargo and Pastor Clint Stasney officiating. Entombment will be at Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN. Preferred donations may be made in loving memory of Esther to Punta Gorda Alliance Church Building Fund, 7500 Florida Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Arrangements by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 2675-A Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. Phone (941) 625-3535.