Esther Joy (Longenecker) Cummins

Esther Joy (Longenecker) Cummins, 87, Retired Butler County Community College Nursing Department Administrative Assistant, died Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Graveside Service will be at 10:00 am, Monday, June 24, 2019, at Sunset Lawns Cemetery, El Dorado, KS. Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am, Monday, July 8, 2019, at Grace Presbyterian Church. Esther began life in Wichita, KS at the first child of Van and Helen Longenecker. Born in 1932, she had a younger brother (Frank Burche) and two younger sisters (Marjorie Gay and Mary Louise). Esther attended East High School and graduated in 1950. Esther’s college days began at Wichita State University for one semester, after which she transferred to College of Emporia with a major in Religion. She began organ lessons there and became organist at Messiah Lutheran Church in Emporia for two years. After graduating in May 1954, she began employment as Christian Education Director at First Presbyterian Church in Dodge City, KS. In December of that year she met Bill Cummins who became her husband on July 30, 1955. Janet joined the family in December of 1956, and Jim in April of 1958. Bill and Esther both held many positions in their church. In August 1960 the family moved to El Dorado, KS where Bill became basketball coach at Butler Community College. Esther taught piano and violin lessons in the home. Barbara joined the family in December of that year. Esther was organist at First Presbyterian Church from 1971 to 1987. In 1979 she took the position of Administrative Assistant for the Nursing Department at Butler Community College and retired from that office in 1990. In the fall of 2000 Bill and Esther moved to Wichita and in December, she lost Bill to ALS. She joined Grace Presbyterian Church in January 2001, and immediately joined the Steamer Sunday School class, Bell Choir, the tutoring program, the sewing ministry, and the Arts Team. Some of her quilted works can be found throughout the church. Esther will be remembered for her quilting and sewing projects. She made and gave many quilts to her children and grandchildren besides the church. She belonged to Prairie Quilt Guild and Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity. Esther enjoyed attending musical events and playing bridge. The last couple years of her life she enjoyed the company of her good friend Charles Hinshaw. Preceded in death by her husband and parents. Survived by her sisters, Mary (Mac) Smith, Marge McCabe; children, Janet (Tom) Rhoads, Jim (Susie) Cummins, Barbara (Pat) Gladd; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild.  A memorial has been established with: Grace Presbyterian Church. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.