BENZONIA — Esther Mary Heiman, 97, of Benzonia, died Sept. 22, 2010, at Homesteader Assisted Living. Esther M. Gressel was born on June 1, 1913, in Dowogiac, and lived in the Battle Creek area for 33 years. In 1946 she married Royal F. Heiman in Battle Creek on Sept. 14. She lovingly raised his two children. Esther was employed by the Kellogg Company in the payroll department and retired in 1968. In 1969, she and her husband, Royal moved to the Lake Leelanau area and spent 19 summers there. During the winter months they moved south to Big Pine Key, Fla. After the death of her husband she moved to Bradenton, Fla., in 1989. She enjoyed volunteering at Freedom Village in Bradenton and was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Bradenton. In her spare time Esther liked to garden. She also enjoyed visiting several of the U.S. National Parks, and camping and fishing in Canada with her family. Surviving Esther are her two stepsons, Dr. Jerry (Barb) Heiman, of Beulah, and Dr. Dennis (Heidi) Heiman, of Palo Cedro, Calif.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment will take place in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of your choice. Please visit Esther's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.