Obituary of Esther E. Hitchner

Esther E. Hitchner, 99, of Hopewell Twp. passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. Born in Stettin, Germany (currently Szczecin, Polland) to the late Karl Hoepfner and Georgine Bremer Hoepfner, she was the wife of the late Herbert Elwell Hitchner. Her family immigrated to Centre Grove, Lawrence Twp., New Jersey in 1928. After marrying in 1949, Esther settled in Hopewell Twp. where she resided for the rest of her life. Prior to her retirement, she had been employed by the Hopewell Board of Education as the Board Secretary for a few years. Before that, Esther had worked as a bookkeeper for many businesses in the Cumberland County area including Bell Telephone. In her free time, Esther loved to travel and dance both square and ballroom styles with her late husband, Herbert. They were also accomplished gardeners of both vegetables and flowers. They were generous to their neighbors with the harvest from each season. Esther also volunteered her time with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the local 4-H where she enjoyed one of her passions, working with children. Throughout her years, she was always an avid reader. She is survived by; her two children, David Hitchner and his wife, Kim of Hopewell Twp. and Georgine E. Koerner and her husband, Clyde of Hopewell Twp.; five grandchildren, Tracie Levick, Karl Koerner, Taylor Hitchner, Spencer Hitchner and Kelby Hitchner Taniguchi; nine great-grandchildren, Ryan, Paul, Anthony, Alora, Seren, Tori, Willa, Arthur and Teagan and a great-great-granddaughter, Mia. She was preceded in death by; her husband of 67 years, Herbert E. Hitchner and six siblings. Graveside committal services will be held at the Cumberland County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 95 Trench Road, Bridgeton on Saturday, March 25th at 11 AM. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.