Hester V. Ward Hester V. Elerick Ward, of Sunset House, Toledo, OH, formerly of N. 7th St., Martins Ferry, OH, died Sun., Apr. 28, 2002. Hester was born Jul. 1, 1912 in Fairpoint a daughter of the late David and Dorothy E. "Bessie" Donner Elerick. She was raised by her grandparents Clinton and Mary Belle Donner of Flushing after her mother died in the 1918 flu epidemic. She was employed by the former Conservative Insurance Co. of Wheeling and the former Riecharts Furniture Co. of Martins Ferry. She was a member of the First U. Methodist Church of Martins Ferry where she served as President of the Women's Assoc. for several years. Hester was preceded in death by her husband Alfred E. Ward to whom she was married for 52 years. Surviving are a son David A. Ward and his wife Ann of Toledo and a brother Henry Elerick of Woodsfield. She had four grandchildren; Jeff, Jil, Andrew, and Jennifer and six great grandchildren; Cullen, Laura, Morgan, Sydney, Jeremy, and Joe whom she deeply loved. Hester had many friends in her N. Seventh St. neighborhood and loved to sit on her porch and talk with them. She was a good counselor and had a positive attitude which affected everyone who knew her. Friends will be received at the Heslop Funeral Home, Walnut at Fifth, Martins Ferry, OH Thur. 6-8 PM and Fri. 10 AM until time of services at 11:30 AM with Rev. Van D. Fisher officiating. Burial follows in Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the First U. Methodist Church of Martins Ferry. The family extends thanks to the wonderful staff of Sunset House for their kind and understanding care. They made her last years comfortable and interesting.