Esther Wray Ridgely, 89, of Springfield, died Friday February 29, 2008 at Friends Care Community in Yellow Springs.

She was born September 11, 1918 in Springfield, Ohio, the daughter of Daniel Edward and Lydia Jane (Sims) Wray.

Esther was a 1936 graduate of Springfield High School. She was a member of High Street United Methodist Church. She served as a church secretary for many years in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Esther married William Darwin Ridgely, Sr. on November 11, 1939.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law; David Kent and Barbara Ridgely, William Darwin and Carol Ridgely, Robert Wray and Julie Ridgely; nine grandchildren, Deborah (Anthony) Paegelow, Nathan (Heather) Ridgely, Lisa Ridgely, Megan Ridgely, Jocelyn Ridgely, Rebecca (Allen) Coyer, Amy (Eric) Burki, Joshua (Tina) Ridgely and Aaron Ridgely; seven great-grandchildren, Miranda, Caleb, and Sarah Paegelow, Kyle and Ty Coyer, and Alexis and Samantha Burki; one sister Mary E. Wagner; one sister-in-law Mary K. Wray; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, a sister, Ruth Emily Wray, four brothers, Cecil, Howard, Kenneth, and Daniel Jr., and a granddaughter Alison Kay Ridgely.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday March 8, 2008 in High Street United Methodist Church, 230 E. High Street, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. with Pastor Paul Price, officiating.

Burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery.

The family would like to acknowledge the care and concern shown to Esther by everyone at Friends Care Community and request that any memorial contributions be made in her memory to Friends Care Community, 150 E. Herman Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45837.

The family is being served by LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME.