Esther V. (Swedell) Stone

Esther V. Stone, 92, of Metamora, IL, formerly of Germantown Hills, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Snyder Village in Metamora, IL.

Esther Verla Swedell was born to Mary (Thomson) and Bernard F. Swedell on January 12, 1931, in Quincy, IL. Her sisters, Joyce Korista of New Lenox, IL and Marjorie Anne Richardson of Sun City Center, FL survive. Her parents and brother, Stanley Swedell preceded her in death.

Esther was an artist in her early years and received several honors for the artwork. A piece of her art was placed in the National High School Art Exhibit in the Fine Arts Galleries of the Carnegie Institute-Pittsburg, PA. Esther graduated from Peoria High School in 1949 and attended Bradley University where she studied elementary education.

Esther married Victor J. Kasel on February 8, 1952 and they raised six children together, Doug Kasel of Chillicothe, IL, Greg Kasel of Maderia Beach, FL, Cheryl (Anthony) Kasel Davies of Adelaide, Australia, Susan Kasel of Clearwater, FL, David Kasel of Ladson, SC, and Melissa Kasel of Peoria, IL.

Esther especially loved her eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Esther and her granddaughter, Natalie, shared her passion for vintage dolls and had quite a collection.

She loved to create quilts of art and enjoyed many visits to the fabric store. When she was able, she spent hours working in her garden and nurturing her green thumb. She was a farm girl at heart.

Esther retired from Bradley University in 1996 where she worked in the registrar’s office for nearly 20 years.

In her later years, she loved and married William “Billy” Stone on December 31, 1997. They shared their home in Germantown Hills, IL until his death in 2004. Esther enjoyed many road trips with her husband and embraced his love of golf and the Chicago Bears football team.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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