E. Esther "Happy" Costin

E. Esther "Happy" Costin, 86, a resident of Buffalo, Kansas, died Sunday, October 26, 2008 at Chanute Health Care Center in Chanute, Kansas. She was born February 4, 1922 to James Walter and Georgia Katherine (Rueter) Costin on the family farm west of Derby, Kansas with Dr. Dixon and Grandmother Rueter attending. She attended Pleasant Valley School for 8 years and graduated from Derby High School. Following graduation, she spent two years at Friends University in Wichita and two years at Ottawa University, graduating in 1943. Esther enlisted in the United States Navy WAVES in August 1943 and served until December 1945, earning the rank of Pharmacist Mate Second Class. She worked in various jobs around Wichita and in June of 1949, moved to Santa Barbara, California to work in the medical laboratory at the County Hospital for 17 years. In July of 1966, she worked in the Santa Ynez Valley Hospital medical lab for two years and completed her career at the Goleta Valley Community Hospital, where she worked nearly 20 years, retiring on Friday, February 13, 1987. During her years in Santa Barbara, she was a member of the professional women"s softball team, the Alley Cats. In November of 1995, Esther moved to Buffalo to be near family. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Derby as a child and the First Baptist Church in Chanute during her later years. Her Survivors include: Three brothers: Ike Costin of Benedict, KS James W. Costin of Altamont, KS Boyd Costin of Derby, KS Many nephews and nieces; great nephews and nieces; and great-great nephews and nieces also survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, Mary Anna Simanek, Barbara Ellen Johnson and George Costin. Funeral services will be held at 11:00A.M. on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Derby First Baptist Church. Burial will be in the El Paso Cemetery in Derby. Friends may call at Timmons Funeral Home on Thursday, October 30, 2008, 2:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M., with the family receiving friends 6:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. The family suggests memorial donations be made to a favorite charity. Family condolences may be left on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS 66736 is in charge of the arrangements.