Esteleen Bowman McDonald

Hillsboro – Esteleen Bowman McDonald, 96, passed away on March 9, 2025 at 8:52 p.m. surrounded by family.

Esteleen was born on May 5, 1928 in Danville, Illinois to Mode and Virgie (VanKirk) Bowman. She married Homer C. McDonald, her husband of 65 years, on September 17, 1950 at Attica United Methodist Church. They resided happily for 65 years on their family farm south of Hillsboro. Homer passed away on July 28, 2015.

Esteleen’s passion was her husband and family. Survivors include their children Marsha McDonald Orr (Fred Kinderman), Covington; Alan McDonald (Rhonda), Hillsboro; Kevin McDonald (Mary), Dayton, Ohio; and Sally McDonald (Rich Levin), Lake Forest, Illinois.

She is also survived by grandchildren Adrienne Holt Hoagland (Brian), Carmel; Allison Holt Thacker (Mike), Westfield; Alan Holt (Lindsay), Westfield; Ross McDonald (Ashley), Westfield; Morgan McDonald Sweet (Chris), Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Molly McDonald, Brooklyn, New York; Grant Levin, Lake Forest, Illinois; Kyle Levin, Boston, Massachusetts; and Andrew Levin, Chicago, Illinois. Also surviving are great grandchildren Ethan, Ryan and Drew Hoagland; Taylor and Jackson McDonald; Emily and Megan Holt; Kate Thacker; and Esti and Sia Sweet. She will also be missed by her loving nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Homer, older brother Dr. Harold E. Bowman, younger sister, Patricia Van Bowman, sisters-in-law Sally Merica Bowman and Virginia McDonald Fee, brother-in-law Leland R. Fee and sons-in-law Steven Holt and Dr. Leonard Orr.

Esteleen graduated from Attica High School in 1946 and Indiana University School of Nursing in 1950. She received the outstanding student award while in the School of Nursing and loved maintaining a life-long friendship with three of her fellow nursing graduates. For many years while her children were in school, she was employed as a school nurse at Southeast Fountain School Corporation.

Esteleen enjoyed helping Homer on the family farm where they raised Registered Shorthorn cattle. She was a devoted member of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church for over 75 years. She taught Sunday School, was a member of the adult choir, United Methodist Women and served for several years as a delegate to the Indiana United Methodist Church Annual Conference. As a member of the church and the community, Esteleen provided hospitality through her love of baking and serving others.

Esteleen was a charter member of the Fountain County Community Foundation and served on the Fountain County Welfare Board. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Tri Kappa, and the Hillsboro Harmony Club. Esteleen was passionate about U.S. history, especially U.S. presidents, beginning when she and her brother memorized them in chronological order as children. She loved learning about and collecting early antiques and was an avid reader.

In later years, she worked with Homer as co-owners of Rivercrest Golf Club in Covington. Esteleen and Homer also spent time volunteering in Indianapolis when Homer served on the Indiana State Fair Board. They spent many winters at The Legends in Fort Myers, Florida and enjoyed more time for travel following retirement.

Friends will be received at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church, 107 East Market Street, Hillsboro, Indiana on Monday, March 17th from 10:00 am until the service at 1:00 pm with Rev. Eileen Bowman Stoffan and Rev. Kate Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Hillsboro. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Fountain Community Foundation (Homer and Esteleen McDonald Unrestricted Fund) or the Hillsboro United Methodist Church.