Esther Marie Lecrone

Esther Marie Lecrone, 86, a deeply loving and widely beloved woman of humor, generosity, beauty, and intelligence, passed away on May 18, 2026, surrounded by her husband and children. She remains the heart and soul of the family who she affected so deeply.

Esther was born on August 27, 1939, in a “hollar” in Pike County, Kentucky, to Finley and Bertha Mae (Anderson) Nickell. She grew up the fourth of nine children in Kentucky and Ohio, helping to care for all of her younger siblings. On July 14, 1962 she married Jim Lecrone, the love of her life, at New Concord Presbyterian Church in New Concord, Ohio. She enjoyed painting and macramé, singing with the Sweet Adelines chorus in Anchorage, bowling, and card-sharking her grandchildren. Most of all, Esther enjoyed being helpful to others. She led Sunday school at Grace Brethren Church, taught crafts for adults in Brevard County, FL,, served as a Brownies Troop Leader, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a Support Volunteer for the Girl Scouts and so much more. She had the most generous heart, an extraordinarily kind spirit, and her immense love for those she met resonated powerfully.

She is preceded in death by her brothers Edgar Nickell and Bill Nickell, and sisters Betty Imogene Roberts, Mary Francis Hickman, Carolyn Sykes and Virginia Wilson. Her brother Lennel Nickell joined Esther in heaven just 2 days after her passing. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 64 years, Jim Lecrone; their children Kellie Barnes (husband Kurt), James Lecrone (wife Jill), Rob Lecrone, and Kristin Cage; their grandchildren Nicholas Barnes, Kyle Cage, Logan Barnes, Taylor Lecrone, Courtney Lecrone, Kellie Cage, and Jackson Cage; great-grandchildren Ryder Cage, Charlie Belle Barnes, Kaia Lecrone, Gracie Sequenzia, and baby Cage, who is coming soon; her sister Sharon Ploughe, a whole slew of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends she loves, as well as her silly dog, Bolt.

There will be a celebration of life for Esther in Cambridge, OH on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 10AM-12PM at Thorn Black Funeral Home. Esther's brother, Lennel Nickell's service will be held at 12:00PM, with Esther's to immediately follow, with their graveside services to follow at Northwood Cemetery. In honor of Esthers generous spirit and past support of the camp, donations can be made to Sagrada Scholarship Bible Camp

She will be buried in Cambridge, Ohio where she will be reunited with her parents and siblings.

In her final moments, Esther exhibited no fear, instead appearing to be profoundly at peace. A few of her final words will stay with us forever: “Don’t look for me at the Pearly Gates, don’t look for me at the streets of gold; look for me at the feet of Jesus.”