Esther M. Houston , 87, of Elkhart, died Saturday November 23, 2019 at the Elkhart Center for Hospice Care. Esther was born in Milford January 20, 1932, the daughter of Andrew and Louise (Stieglitz) Rapp. She graduated from New Paris High School with the Class of '50 and on May 21, 1966 she married John F. Houston (Sr.), who preceded her in death on June 14, 2008 after 42 years of marriage. Esther retired from the office at Miles Laboratories in 1995 after 24 years there. She was a member of Creekside Church of the Brethren, was a lifetime member of the DAV Post #19 Auxiliary, and she was a past State Commander at which time she was awarded the distinction and title of Kentucky Colonel. She was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Elkhart Lodge #599 and the American Legion Post #143 in Bristol. Esther enjoyed the time spent with family & friends, cherished her grandchildren and enjoyed caring for her "grand-dogs".  In addition to her husband, Esther was also preceded in death by her brothers, Elmer, Floyd & Harry Rapp and her sisters, Rose & Mildred Rapp and Lucille Smith. Esther is survived by her daughter, Kim (Dale) Brown of Elkhart, step-son, John (Crystal) Houston, Jr. of Pattaya, Thailand, step-daughter, Georgia (Mike) Smith of Fairdealing MO;  grandchildren, Heather (Wiley) Gladney of Appleton WI,  Joshua (Angela) Houston of Mascoutah IL, Ben Houston of Woodbury TN and Michelle (Bobby) Carter & Shawna (Jonny) Sparks, both of Fairdealing MO;  7 great-grandchildren and her brother, George Rapp of Sacramento CA. Funeral Services 10:00 Wednesday November 27, 2019 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy. where friends may call from 9-10am Wednesday. Entombment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family's preferred memorials are the DAV Post #19 Auxiliary, 1205 Middleton Run Rd, Elkhart, IN 46516 or the Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545. To share a remembrance of Esther or to offer condolences to her family, please visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com.