Mary Esther Steffen Florea

Mary Esther Steffen Florea, 85, Palmyra, Mo., and formerly of LaBelle, Mo., crossed over the Jordan River on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.

Mary Esther was the daughter of William Henry and Rosa Lee Edmonston Steffen, born June 20, 1936, in a logging camp at Eunice, Mo. On July 12, 1952, Mary Esther Steffen united in marriage with Charles Vernon Florea in the Methodist parsonage in Hannibal, Mo. 

To their union five children, Charles William, Emilie Ann, Timothy Coil, Paula Kay and Chester Allen, were born.

As a teenager, Mary Esther worked for The LaBelle Star, then took time to raise her family, following her marriage to Charles. After raising her family, she was employed by Prairie View Rest Home, Joanne’s Fashions, Clothes Etc., Roderick P. Miller, the LaBelle Library, and from September 2000 through 2001, she and Charles managed the Dairi Nook before retiring.

Mary Esther was a member of First Christian Church of LaBelle, The Dorothy Quincy Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution and the Palmyra American Legion Auxiliary.

In the 58th year of their marriage, Charles preceded her in death on Oct. 9, 2010. Also preceding her in death were her parents, William Henry Steffen, Feb. 6, 1970; and Rosa Lee Steffen, Oct. 12, 2000; her son-in-law, Ray N. Rumble, July 29, 2004; her first born son, Charles William “Chuck” Florea, Dec. 5, 2016; and her only sibling, William Curtis Steffen, July 16, 2021.

Surviving are her children, Emilie Ann Rumble, Timothy Coil Florea, Paula Kay (Francis) Esposito and Chester Allen (Leanne) Florea; daughter-in-law, Linda Florea; and sister-in-law, Helen Lee Steffen.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, Jeremy (Stacy) Florea, Kendra (Paul) Scifres, Heather (John) Grawe, Erin Florea, Dustin (Kendra) Speer, Nikki Florea, Kristen Berry, Terrence Florea, Frank Esposito, Miranda (Edgar) Guardiola, Drew (Alexis) Esposito, Ray (Markayla) Romero, Shelby (Noah) Rice, Samantha Millman and Stetson Marinaro; her great-grandchildren, Ethan (Caitlyn) Clary and Shane Clary, Autumn (Cody) Wilkens, Hunter Florea; Camden, Carli, Ava and Aspen Scifres; Serenity, Chloe, Gage and Harper Kaye Speer; Keshav Berry, Serenity and Bentley Foutes and Alijah Cartee; Caden Gilbert, Faith and Love Florea; Adaline Esposito; Emersyn and Micah Guardiola; Ryder, Eden, Talia and Harper; Jaxon and Laylianna and Dimitri; and great-great-grandson, Easton Charles Clary.

In addition her nephew, Greg Steffen; nieces, Dana (Terry) Dill, and Lezlie (Jeffrey) Sirriani; great-nephews, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Baird, Sterling Steffen, T.J. Dill, Jordan, Mason and Stefan Sirriani; great nieces, Mandy (Josh) Rinzlee, Hannah (Robert) Perez and Audrey Dill; and great-great-nieces, Luna and Bella, Dema, Harlow and Piper also survive.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, from noon to 2 p.m. and services will follow at 2 p.m. at First Christian Church in LaBelle. Burial will be in the Steffenville Cemetery with Jeremy Florea, Dustin Speer, Terrence Florea, Ethan Clary, Shane Clary and Hunter Florea as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch, Mexico Veterans Home or Steffenville Cemetery in care of Davis Funeral Home.