February 3, 2016

Esther Luree Masters, 98, a resident of Presbyterian Village, Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at her home. She was born Aug. 25, 1917, in Boicourt, Kan., the daughter of Earl Lee Mitchell and Cordelia Kerns Mitchell. Esther was a 1935 graduate of Burlington High School. 

She married Clayton Masters Aug. 28, 1938, in Pleasanton, Kan. He preceded her in death Nov. 4, 2010. 

She had worked for Murray’s Clothing Store in Wichita and later retired from Beech Aircraft following 16 years of employment. 

She was a member of the Central Community Church in Wichita, but attended Community Christian Church after moving to Fort Scott on Jan. 28, 2012. Esther and her husband were avid members of the Moose Lodge in Wichita where they helped administer Bingo and attended dances for many years. 

They enjoyed traveling and were able to visit several foreign countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Greece with Clayton’s brother, Cecil. They also took many bus tours in the United States via Village Tours. She had the most fun playing cards and dominoes with family and friends. She and Clayton also enjoyed bowling each week with other retirees. It is believed she bowled her last game in October of 2007, at the age of 90.

Survivors include one son, Rick Masters and wife Sylvia, Fort Scott; three grandchildren, Zachry Masters, Shannon Spencer and Whitney Masters. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Leon Masters; a granddaughter, Raina Noel Masters; a sister, Dorothy Hunt; and a brother, Earl (E.J.) Mitchell Jr.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Chapel. 

A funeral service will also be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 at the Lakeview Cemetery, 12100 E. 13th, Wichita, Kan. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time at the Lakeview Cemetery Chapel in Wichita. Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church, the Central Community Church or the Presbyterian Village and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at  cheneywitt.com.