Obituary of Esther Louise Mooneyhan

Dr. Esther Louise Mooneyhan Esther L. Mooneyhan was called home to heaven by her Lord and Savior on February 2, 2009 after lengthy illness. Esther moved to Sun City Center in 1988. She loved Florida and its warm and sunny weather. Her lake view and Tabebuia tree she had planted were tranquil and a delight. She loved to sit on the swing and watch the sunset. She was born in Wabash, IN and throughout her years lived in Indianapolis and South Bend, Indiana; Texas, Florida and Ethiopia, Africa. Dr. Mooneyhan graduated from Marion College, Marion, IN and Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Indianapolis. She is an alumnus of Indiana University where she received a B.S. degree in nursing, a M.S. in nursing education, a Ph.D. in Administration in Higher Education with study of education for international development and the preparation of the "comprehensive" nurse in developing countries. She served in Ethiopia as a nurse advisor under the USAID, and as the administrator of the community health nurse and nurse midwifery programs in the College of Public Health, Haile Sellassie I University at its campus in Gondar, the ancient capital. Among trips to foreign lands she presented a paper at the University of Bejing, China. Other jobs included professor and Director/Dean of Indiana University South Bend, IN, Campus, visiting professor at the University of South Florida, public health and hospital nursing. Dr. Mooneyhan has been recognized for her education and distinguished achievements as noted in the World's Who's Who of Women, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Nursing, and Men and Women of Distinction (an English publication). She authored many articles in professional nursing publications. She is in the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Esther wrote and published two books - one about her grand dog Brandie Comes to Live with Grandma and Coincidence? I think not! God Cares About Little Things. A third book was in process. With Pat, her youngest sister she did genealogy research and documented her parents' families in a Smithee/Adams Family Album. On the lighter side of life Mom was a lover of hats and shoes. She had all colors of the rainbow, sun, moon, clouds and MORE which matched her dresses and suits. She even modeled an 1890's ivory nightcap with tassels and a black velvet hat for the Hats on Parade with her pictures in the South Bend Tribune (IN) newspaper, April 4, 1984. She used to make her and her daughter clothes to cut down on expenses. Buying material and self labor were worth the cost savings. She was an avid reader and has too many books and magazines to count. She loved to travel and in 2006 took her children and their spouses and youngest sister to The Netherlands on a five star river cruise to several locations. We had a great time. She said, "This is my last hoorah!" Esther transferred her membership from First Baptist Church in Brandon to Friendship Baptist Church in Sun City Center when she became too ill to travel. She served as Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Team, Director of WMU, Sunday school teacher, pianist and sang in the choir. She considers her church home as Castleview Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. She served the Sun City Center (SCC) Sunview Property Owners Assoc. by representing concerned residents of SCC re: events surrounding a special use permit to open a store near their neighborhood. She was a member of the RN Club. She really enjoyed her friends and neighbors and mentioned them often. The family wishes to publicly thank LifePath Hospice House, SCC and all of her many doctors and friends for their gracious and exceptional care of Mom. Her care is entrusted to Sun City Center Funeral Home. Viewing will be held on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Rance Goad officiating. An additional service will be held with care entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan, 10800 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana. Viewing will be held on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., Reverend David Lohse officiating. Burial is at Washington Park East Cemetery adjacent to the Flanner and Buchanan Mortuary. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name and memory to Friendship Baptist Church, 1511 El Rancho Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573 or The Esther L. Mooneyhan Scholarship at Indiana University Foundation, ATTN: Gift Admin, P. O. Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402 or to The Edward L. Smithee Family Scholarship at Indiana Wesleyan University, 4201 S. Washington Street, Marion, IN 46053-9980. Esther is preceded in death by her parents Rev. Edward L. and Ina Louretta Smithee, and her youngest son Stephen Alan Mooneyhan. Those she leaves behind to enjoy fond memories are her children Bill Mooneyhan, Jr. and his wife Ginny, Syracuse, NY; and daughter Kathe Davis-Harris and her husband Larry, Indianapolis, IN. Brothers are Kenneth Smithee (Marlene), Phoenix, AZ; and Robert Smithee (Julia), Fairmount, IN. Sisters are Marceline Thompson, Sarasota, FL and Patricia Moon, Jonesboro, IN. Grandchildren are Tammy (Scott) Tyree, Lexington, KY; Angela Davis and Tiffany Davis, Indianapolis, IN; Cheryl (Rob) Davila, Spokane, WA; Grant (Donna) Eldridge, Syracuse, NY; Carmen (Ron) Walter, Mesa, AZ. Great-grandchildren are Mylissa and Michelle Tyree, Derek, Dustin and Donald Tresler, Kenny Mooneyhan, Johnny Canada, Kimberly Davila, Cassie Eldridge and Lacey Eldridge Walter. She also has numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the US.