Esther M. Vanlaningham, 79, Milford, passed away at 10:08 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester. She was born on Oct. 21, 1939, in Hardinsburg, to Chester I. and Florence Belle (Bunch) Thompson.

She graduated in 1957 from Hardinsburg High School and was married on Nov. 14, 1958, in Marengo, to Robert L. “Bob” Vanlaningham who preceded her on June 13, 2008. She was a homemaker and moved to the Milford area in 1963 from southern Indiana. She was formerly employed at Chore Time in Milford, CFS in Milford, Mail Journal in Milford, Polk Farm Equipment in New Paris, Stiver Insurance in Syracuse, and Maple Leaf Farms in Milford in the accounting department.

She was a member of the New Salem Church of the Brethren in Milford.

She is survived by three sons: Norman (Cindy) Vanlaningham, Kendallville; Ed (Kim) Vanlaningham, Milford; Rodney (Denise) Vanlaningham, Columbia City; seven grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Thompson, Salem.

She was preceded by her parents, husband, three sisters – Flossie Thompson, Lucille Magill, and Dorothy Babcock, and brother – Sonny Thompson.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, in the funeral home with Pastor Terry Vanlaningham officiating. Burial will follow in the Milford Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be given to the Caring Circle c/o Peabody Home Foundation, Inc., 400 W. 7th St., North Manchester, IN 46962. To send condolences to the family in memory of Esther Vanlaningham, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com