Obituary of Esther L. Arehart

Warrensburg: Esther L. Arehart, 95, formerly of James Street, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at the Glens Falls Hospital. Born April 4, 1915 in Corinth, she was the daughter of the late James and Lucy (Flynn) VanDenburg. Esther graduated from Corinth High School and went on to graduate from St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam as a registered nurse. She married John E. Arehart in 1935, and the couple went on to build 1000 Acres Ranch Resort in Stony Creek in 1942, a business that continues to thrive today. Esther and Jack later established the former Sit ‘N Bull Dude Ranch in Warrensburg in 1965. She had a great love for the ranch and their accomplishments. Following her retirement, Esther owned and operated Rondack Realty, which is currently in business. Esther was among the many snow birds, wintering in Florida, where she enjoyed playing bridge. She always had a wonderful sense of humor and positive personality. Besides her husband of 33 years, and her parents, she was also predeceased by her brother, Earl VanDenburg; sisters, Patricia Holmes and Anna Doody; and a grandson, Christian Michael Arehart. Esther is survived by her sons, Jack Arehart and his wife, Polly, and Gary Arehart all of Warrensburg; grandchildren, Kelly Liddle and her husband, John, Kimberly Shephard and her husband, John, Todd Arehart and his wife, Susan, Patrick Arehart, Hilary Watkins, Jonathan Arehart and his wife, Angelica, and Jeremy Arehart; great-grandchilren, Rachelle, Michael, Shawn, Meghan, Ryan, Travis, Levi, Christian, Cameron, Katherine, Quentin, Hannah, Matthew, and Nathaniel; great-great-grandchildren, Alexis and Aiden; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Esther’s family from 10 am to 12 noon, Thursday, June 3, at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service to celebrate her life will following the visitation at noon on Thursday with Sister Linda Hogan, parish life director of St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church officiating. Rite of committal will follow the funeral service at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery in Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Esther’s memory to the Warrensburg EMS or the St. Cecilia’s Church building fund. Esther’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the physicians at the Warrensburg Health Center, and her many caregivers throughout the years, especially Alice Damp, neighbor and Eucharistic Minister, who brought her Holy Communion and spiritual readings every Sunday. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.