Esther M. Karns

Esther Mae Karns, age 94, of Wilmington, Ohio passed away on May 27, 2026, at Cape May Retirement Center in Wilmington, Ohio.

Esther was born on May 21, 1932, in Union City, IN to the late Zelmer and Wanda (Short) Weyrick.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 74 years, Willard Karns, whom she married on March 7, 1952, in New Madison, Ohio. She is also survived by her daughters: Connie (Leonard) Brown of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Denise (Steve) Kleinhenz of The Villages, Florida; and Cynthia (Jim) Eberhart of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Esther is further survived by her siblings, Betty Hill and Elvin "Sonnie" Weyrick, both of Greenville, Ohio; her grandchildren, Shelaina, Dale, Tiffany, Craig, Heidi, Alex, and Alisha; 14 great-grandchildren; and special friends Russ, Carolyn, and Debbie Young.

In addition to her parents, Esther was preceded in death by her brother, Eugene Weyrick.

A 1950 graduate of New Madison High School, Esther continued her education at Miami University, where she earned her master's degree. She devoted much of her life to education, teaching kindergarten, first grade, and second grade then went on to become a school psychologist in Preble County for many years.

Esther found her greatest joy in time spent with her family. She loved square dancing in both Ohio and Florida and had a passion for painting, sewing, and traveling throughout the United States and Brazil. In retirement, she especially cherished time at her seasonal home in Florida. Esther also generously opened her home to 13 exchange students over the years, forming lasting bonds across cultures. A dedicated genealogist, she took great pride in preserving her family's history for future generations.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at 11:00 AM at Greenmound Cemetery in New Madison, Ohio.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.tributefuneralhomes.com.