Esther Alice Collard's Obituary
After 86 years on this earth, Esther Alice Collard (nee Benton) passed away peacefully in her sleep at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids during the early morning hours of December 22, 2021. The previous day and evening, she was surrounded by loved ones who spent hours huddled around her bed sharing sadness, tears, joy, and laughter as they told stories about the tremendous impact she had on her family and her community throughout her life. As a mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, she will be greatly missed.
The second child and only daughter of Ronald and Esther Benton, Esther graced the world with her presence on March 31, 1935 - thus beginning a lifelong companionship with her older brother and best friend, Ronald Jr. She and Ron grew up on the picturesque Benton family farm southwest of Howard City, playing outdoors and helping their parents run the home and the hundreds of acres surrounding it. Their outdoor adventures inspired Esther's lifelong love of animals, wildflowers, and everything nature has to offer.
In 1952, while attending Howard City High School and working as a switchboard operator for the phone company, Esther married William Leo McCarthy. After graduating as Salutatorian in her high school class, Esther and Bill moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he completed his service in the U. S. Army.
In 1955, the young couple returned to Lakeview, Michigan and settled into the McCarthy family home next to the elementary school on 6th street. The two remained married for 26 years and had four children: Steven, Susan, Scott, and Stacy - all of whom both parents were immensely proud of and loved dearly.
Esther briefly worked at the pickle facility overlooking Tamarack Lake before beginning a career spanning more than 30 years at Bank of Lakeview. Initially hired as a teller at the Lakeview location, Esther progressed through the ranks and eventually became the Morley-Stanwood branch manager. Throughout her time with the bank, Esther brightened the days of thousands of customers - liberally supplying their children with Dum-Dum suckers while helping their parents realize their dreams.
In 1977, Esther began a new chapter in her life when she married Roy Collard. For the next 15 years, she and Roy spent their time together square dancing with "The Star Promenaders," riding about Montcalm County and beyond in Roy's dune buggy and traveling throughout the United States and abroad. Sadly, Roy passed away in 1992, but Esther loved him until her last breath nearly 30 years later.
In addition to her passion for the outdoors, Esther enjoyed playing cards with her girlfriends, attending summer concerts at Lakeside Park, and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She read every novel Danielle Steele ever wrote (twice) and watched every episode of Frasier ever made (three times). She loved motorcycles, hated cooking, and gave the best hug anyone could ask for.
Esther is survived by her four children, 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Esther was brilliant, beautiful, devout, and graceful. She was as humble as she was elegant and never compromised her integrity for a shortcut or an easier road. Her passing leaves an impossible void in this world, but her pure love, joy, kindness, and faith will live on through everyone lucky enough to have known her.
We hope you will join her family and friends for the following services:
Visitation Services:
• Monday, December 27 from 5-7 PM at Brigham Funeral Home in Lakeview
• Tuesday, December 28 from 10-11 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lakeview
Rosary Prayers:
• Monday, December 27 at 5:30 and 6:30 PM at Brigham Funeral Home in Lakeview
Funeral Mass:
• Tuesday, December 28 from 11-12 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lakeview
• The Mass will be followed by a luncheon at Brigham Funeral Home in Lakeview
Esther loved flowers (especially lilacs), but if you would rather make a contribution, the family would appreciate a donation made in her name to the Lakeview Public Schools Foster Grandparent program.
What’s your fondest memory of Esther?
What’s a lesson you learned from Esther?
Share a story where Esther's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Esther you’ll never forget.
How did Esther make you smile?