Esther Lavina Simpson, 76, of Rodney, Michigan, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, at her home on March 2, 2026. She was born to David and Arvilla (Oisten) Kaylor at Allegan General Hospital, in Allegan, Michigan, on October 20, 1949. She graduated with honors from Allegan High School with "the Class of '67."

She began her professional career at Ferris State University (then "College") in 1974 as an entry-level clerk/typist in the Department of Nursing. She rose quickly through the ranks in various positions in the office of Residential Life (Student Services/Housing), the Board of Trustees, and Charter Schools. While working full-time, maintaining a household, and helping to raise her then young children, she earned both associate and bachelor degrees from Ferris. During her 16-year tenure as Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees, she developed and distributed materials for board and committee meetings that she attended as recording secretary; represented the board on several standing and ad hoc committees; was a member of, and provided clerical assistance to, three presidential search teams; and was appointed to a Special Project Team as one of eight co-editors who gathered and compiled documents for "The Autobiography of Woodbridge N. Ferris" that was published in-house as part of the University's sesquicentennial observance in 1995.

As Compliance Auditor/FSU Board Liaison for Charter Schools for 10 years, she frequently traveled throughout the State, often for days at a time, to attend the charter school academies board of directors meetings. During that time she advised and assisted administrative personnel with contractual obligations, and developed and presented annual seminars and training sessions for clerical staff. She also held an academic year assignment as Senior Advisor to the President of Bay Mills Community College while its board of directors established their charter schools office and academies. She ended her 33 years of distinguished service to the University on June 30, 2007, and received certificates of recognition from the Michigan legislature and the FSU Board of Trustees. As well as beautifully engraved plagues from the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, the Michigan Council of Charter School Academies, Bay Mills Community College and several charter schools throughout the State that she supervised and assisted. She credits much of her success with charter schools to her highly-respected and outstanding mentor, Jimmie Rodgers, the schools' director.

Esther is survived by her daughter Connie (Robert) Jackson and son's Eric (Michelle) Schlaack and Robin and Chad Simpson; sisters Rebecca "Becky" (Russell) Deaton and Mercedes (Roger) Greene and "baby brother" Wesley Kaylor, who she loved dearly, admired, and respected for many reasons; grandchildren, Kendall and Nathan Jackson and Lily and Sheldon Simpson; and maternal aunts, Carol (Leonard) Sheaffer and Gloria (Bruce) Hoyer, both of Allegan. She also leaves her very special friends and neighbors "The Adams Family" - Janet, Gary, and Matthew; "Miss Lana" and Tyler Blount; and Nicole and Crag Derby; all of whom, without question or hesitation responded to her requests for help; and her beloved sisterhood with (the late) Nancy Arnot, Cathy Castagnier, Sue Fairbairn, and Maureen (Moe) Gaylord.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws Floyd and Jeanne Simpson; brother Daniel Kaylor; and her loving and devoted husband, Dale, who was the center of her universe for almost 40 years.

Cremation was entrusted to Daggett Gilbert Funeral Homes of Big Rapids, and per her final wishes, there will no memorial service.

Memorial donations may be made to Ferris State University to the scholarship of donors choice. 

To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, please visit, www.daggettfuneral.com