Esther A. Hokuf, 86, of North East, MD, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in Rising Sun, MD.

Born in North East, MD on May 23, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Charles A. and Pearl E. (Gray) Puschell.

Esther was a lifelong resident of Cecil County, Maryland. She graduated with the Class of 1947 from North East High School. She attended Delaware Hospital School of Nursing from 1948 until 1951 where she obtained her degree as a Registered Nurse and began working with Delaware Hospital. In 1951 she married Jerry Albert Hokuf. She worked for Dr. Jay Barnhart from 1963 to 1966 and the Cecil County Health Department from 1966 to 1991. She attended Cecil College from 1972 until 1974 where she received her public health certification degree. In 1991 she retired after 25 years of service with the Cecil County Health Department, 15 years of which she served as Clinic Supervisor. After retirement she became a volunteer and nurse with the Cecil County Pregnancy Center where she served from 1992 to 2003.

Esther trusted Jesus Christ as her savior when she was 16 years old; she was a member of the First Baptist Church of North East for most of her adult life. She enjoyed serving there and was active in the “Women on Mission” and “Sunbeams” ministries; she taught Sunday school for over 40 years. She read through the Bible every year for much of her life. She enjoyed any outdoor activities: gardening, walking, and swimming; spending time with her grandchildren whom she loved dearly was important to her.

Mrs. Hokuf is survived by her two sons: Bronson R. (Sharon) Hokuf of Calvert, MD and Rev. Dr. Stephen D. (Janet) Hokuf of Elkton, MD; one brother: John Puschell of LaCrosse, WI, ten grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years: Jerry Albert Hokuf, Sr. and her son: Jerry A. Hokuf, Jr.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 at 4:00 pm at First Baptist Church of North East, 206 Mechanics Valley Road, North East, MD, with visitation beginning at 3:00pm. Rev. Dr. Stephen D. Hokuf and Rev. Dan Mohler will officiate. A dinner at the church will follow the service.

Private interment will be in North East Methodist Cemetery, North East, MD on Monday, Jan. 9.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in support of Esther’s granddaughter, Laura (Chris) Moyer’s missionary efforts in France. Checks may be made to the First Baptist Church of North East, 206 Mechanics Valley Road, North East, MD 21901.

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