Esther Ruth Wilkes

Esther Ruth “Mom” Wilkes was born March 22, 1931 to Clint and Lydia (Hayunga) Helman, both of whom are deceased, in Rockford, IL She trusted Jesus as her Savior at a young age, and was faithful to Him all her life. She attended and graduated from West High School in Rockford.

After graduation she worked at the Twin Disc Clutch Company and later in Chicago at the Conservative Baptist Home Missionary Society office. Eventually, she attended Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, where she met a young evangelist named Allan Wilkes. After getting engaged in a car with three other people, the couple married on October 9, 1954. To this union was born five children: Lee, (Dee); Tim (Gloria); Jimmy (Tammy), Deborah (Andy Tuttle) and Jon (Cindy). This marriage lasted 58 years, when death took Allan in December of 2012.

As the children were growing up, she was a full-time mother. Afterwards she was employed in several different occupations, ranging from having taught kindergarten at Akron Christian Grade School, several retail businesses, selling business directories, and Tupperware, and as the secretary at First Baptist Church in Tiffin, OH where her husband was the pastor.

Esther’s love of music and children gave her a lifetime of ministry with a compassionate heart. She was a mother to the world and never saw a child she did not love. She was constantly teaching in the bus ministry and children’s church. She sang in the choir in almost every church she attended. She lead and taught choruses and Scriptural songs that made a lasting impact upon many through the years.

Those left who mark her passing with sorrow and yet rejoicing at knowing she has met her Savior include her children, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and several step great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday November 6th, from 10 AM- 12 noon at Newcomer Funeral Home. Funeral services begin at at 12 noon. Final resting place is Silver Springs Cemetery.

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To watch a livestream of the funeral,click here.