Esther (Gonzales) Thompson, 77, of Muncie, passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at AMG Specialty Hospital in Muncie, IN following an extended illness.

Esther was born on December 6, 1939, in Los Animas, Colorado to the late Jacob and Viola (Pacheco) Gonzales. In 1957 Esther graduated from Campion Academy High School in Loveland, Colorado. She then studied elementary education at Union College in Nebraska, before studying foreign language at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She worked as a dietary manager at Woodlands, Community Care Center, and Williamsburg Village before retiring in 2006. She was on the board of A.C.T.I.O.N. and the Headstart Program. Esther never met a stranger and was especially active in her community. She was an active member of the Muncie Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Esther is survived by five children, Jan Graham (husband Greg) of Muncie, Mike Thompson (friend Margaret Hacker) of Muncie, Brenda Thornburg (friend Donnie Morris) of Muncie, Sandy Brunt (husband Chip) of North Carolina, and Larry Thompson of Muncie; brother-in-law Max Jimenez; sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Esther is preceded in death by her previous husband, Merle Thompson; two brothers, Jake Gonzales and Gilbert Gonzales; and sister, Emma Jimenez.

A funeral service to celebrate Esther's life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Muncie Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1404 W. Cowing Drive in Muncie. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery.

Esther's friends and family may gather to share and remember from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday, May 8, 2017, at Gant Funeral Homes, Yorktown Chapel, 2215 S. Broadway St. in Yorktown. They may also gather one hour prior to the service Tuesday, at the Church.

Memorial contributions may be given to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016.

Share a memory of Esther and leave your condolences at www.gantfuneralhomes.com

The Gant and Miller families are honored to celebrate the life of Esther with her family and community.