Esther Emma Sophia Heckler King

We are sad to announce that Esther Emma Sophia Heckler King, aged 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Franklin on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Esther was born on August 26, 1937, in Daisytown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Frank and Hedwig Maslo Heckler. After graduation from California Community High School in 1955, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from California State Teachers College in 1958.

She began teaching in Monroeville, but spent most of her career as a first-grade teacher at Sandycreek Elementary in Franklin. She had a piano in her classroom and loved to play for and sing with her students. As a teacher, she was kind but firm, brooking no nonsense. After retirement, she was often approached in stores or public spaces around Franklin by former students, eager to thank her for her positive guidance and deft touch as a teacher so many years before (and often sheepishly apologizing for their youthful testings of her patience).

Esther married the love of her life, Thomas R. King, on October 24, 1959, in Clover Hill, Pennsylvania. Their wedding began a shared journey of nearly 65 years that inspired all who knew them with their absolute devotion to each other. She and Tom traveled the world together to exotic locales like Bali, Singapore, and Brazil, but were always happiest at home in Franklin, quietly raising their three spirited daughters and faithfully serving their church.

For most of her life, Mrs. King was a proud and very active member of First United Methodist Church in Franklin. She served on countless committees, taught Sunday School, and selflessly contributed in whatever way was needed. Despite her modest disavowals, she had a beautiful singing voice and shared that gift with the church as a long-time member of the choir.

Esther greatly enjoyed the many friends she made through her involvement in the choir and in the Flying Needles quilting group at church, as well as at her Silver Sneakers and yoga classes at the Y.

As the grandchildren began to come along, a great joy of her life was the annual beach house vacation at Bethany Beach in Delaware. She and Tom generously presided over an ever-growing collection of rowdy, sandy grandchildren with great patience (usually) and good-natured humor (mostly). The grandkids especially loved the day each trip when Nani, with Grandad Tom's dutiful help shaking the bags, would make her famous sugar donuts. Nani would watch with some dismay as her work of hours was devoured in minutes.

It was with great pride and love that Esther and Tom were eventually able to welcome one more generation, their beautiful great-grandchildren, to the growing family to which they devoted their lives.

Esther was preceded in death by her beloved parents and her brother, William. She is survived by her devoted husband Thomas R. King; their three cherished daughters, Andrea (Cliff) Loudermilk of Lothian, Maryland, Marcy (Chris) Buttlar of Mount Lebanon, and Krista (Joe) Wagner of Bethel Park; grandchildren Alec Loudermilk, Andy (Tara) Buttlar, Tommy (Nicole) Buttlar, Erica Loudermilk, Alexis King-Wagner, Danielle Buttlar, Elaina King-Wagner, and Sydney Wagner; and great-granddaughters Aubrey, Annabelle, Phoebe, and Emma.

A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church 1102 Liberty St. Franklin on Thursday, September 26, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Connie Hoeke, officiating. A reception will follow at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you make a donation to First United Methodist Church 1102 Liberty St. Franklin, PA 16323 in the memory of Esther King.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.Huffguthrie.com.