INDIANAPOLIS
Esther L. Ulrey 93, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully June 16, 2024, at Worthington Place Assisted Living in Camby. Esther was born June 21, 1930, in Indianapolis to the late Franklin H. and Blanche W. Pearce. She was a 1948 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. Esther married Howard L. Ulrey Jr. on June 30, 1951. They were married for 42 years until his passing in 1993.
She worked for Hostess Bakery as an administrative secretary, and then dedicated her life to raising her five children as a homemaker. Once the children were through school, she worked for the Perry Township School system as a “Cafeteria Lady” in many roles from food prep to baking, and finally as cashier manager. She was active in, and loved her church family, flower gardening, taking care of her yard (especially cutting the grass), and for enjoyment she loved playing cards and was an avid sports fan of the Colts, Pacers, and supported every university that claimed Indiana as the home state. However, her later life’s work and passion was dedicated to caring for and enjoying her twelve grandchildren: eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Esther is survived by her five children: Jan Morse, Karen Nelis, husband Dave, Jeff Ulrey, wife Debbie, Kellie Polley, husband Buddy, and Julie Thornburg, husband Mark. Esther was proceeded in death by her three brothers, Clayton, Dalton, and David Pearce, and five sisters, Christina (June) Duke, Carol Penrose, Jaunita Matheson, and Dorsey and Crystal Pearce.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Singelton St Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, 7602 Madison Ave., Indianapolis. Friends and family will gather from 11:00AM until time of service. Esther will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Greenwood, Indiana. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Gray Road Baptist Church General Fund.
