Esther Marie Summers, 101, Raymore, Missouri, died Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, Missouri.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian with visitation from 1:00-2:00.  Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri.  Contributions may be made to the "Fellowship of John", PO Box 701, Raymore, MO 64083, in memory of Esther.

Esther was born April 25, 1912 to Charles and Fannie Gutshall near Adrian, Missouri. She died sixteen days before her 102 ^nd birthday. She graduated from Adrian High School and studied at Central Missouri State Teachers College and Washington University.  In her early adult life, she taught school in the Bates County area. Later she was a social worker in Macon, Missouri where she met and married John Summers on February 10, 1951. They were active in the Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia, Missouri where they worked with University of Missouri students. After John's death in 1984, Esther moved to Foxwood Springs Retirement Center in Raymore where she was a resident for 22 years. She was active in the First Baptist Church in Raymore until her health declined. Esther loved life, was an avid reader, accomplished artist and enjoyed family genealogy.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, John and three siblings, Emery Gutshall, Clyde Gutshall and Ruth Blocher. Also preceding her in death were nephews, Edward Blocher Jr. and James Gutshall and niece, Marie Carter. She is survived by a number of nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.