Esther J. Mccallister

Esther Jeanette Binkley McCallister of Speedway, Indiana, passed away at home surrounded by her family and caregivers on October 7, 2017, at the age of 92. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born on September 7, 1925 in Bloomington, Indiana, she grew up in a loving family of two older brothers and a father and mother who absolutely adored her. She was incredibly bright and graduated from high school at the age of 16 and went on to graduate from Indiana University at the age of 19 with a BS in Business. While in college she was president of the YWCA and was elected to the prestigious Mortar Board in recognition of her leadership abilities. It was at Indiana University that she met her future husband, Robert McCallister, a young, hardworking ROTC student who was studying accounting. After his service in WWII, he returned and the two were married on April 21, 1946. They chose to raise their family in Speedway, Indiana, where she was active in the community, especially her beloved Speedway Christian Church. Blessed with a beautiful voice and piano playing ability, she shared those gifts with family and church for decades. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Robert McCallister, her parents, Myron and Minnie (Hazel) Binkley, and her brothers, Don and Morris Binkley, all of Bloomington, Indiana. She is survived by her children Jane M. Smith (Denny Smith) and Dr. Robert E. McCallister (Sandy Hutchison McCallister); grandchildren Andrew P. Smith (Melissa), Dr. Mary McCallister Carver (Adam), and Rachel L. McCallister; and her three precious great-grandchildren, Jonah and Maren Smith and Natalie Carver. The family would like to thank special friends and caregivers, Courtney Fisher and Becki Schooley. Calling will be at Flanner Buchanan-Speedway on Thursday morning, October 12, 2017 at 10:00 am, with funeral following at 11:00 am and burial at Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Renovation Fund of Speedway Christian Church.