Esther Leona Gerber, 89, Fairbury, died at 4:52 pm Monday, May 8, 2023 at Serenity Villa at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Mrs. Gerber was born July 20, 1933 in rural Forrest, IL the daughter of Ludwig and Persida Honegger Metz. She married Earl Eugene Gerber on September 23, 1951 in Forrest. He preceded her in death on August 10, 2019.

Survivors include their children, Wayne (Carolyn) Gerber, Fairbury, Kathy (Jerry) Leman, Secor, Alan (Marcia) Gerber, Forrest, Sandra (Jim) Schneider and Trish (Martin) Steidinger, both of Fairbury. One sister, Ruth Metz, Fairbury, two brothers, Ben (Miriam) Metz, Francesville, IN, Arthur (Betty) Metz, Salem, Oregon, thirty grandchildren and ninety- three great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by siblings, Christian, Emil, William, David, Elizabeth Johnson and five great grandchildren.

Esther was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest.

Visitation will be 3:00 to 8:00pm Friday, May 12, 2023 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Saturday at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 am Saturday also at the church. Burial will be in the North Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Forrest. The family suggests memorials be given to Serenity Villa at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Serenity Villa and OSF Hospice for their wonderful loving care.