SPARTA - Esther F. Knop, 99, of Sparta, formerly of Chester, IL, passed away at 7:50 am, Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta. Esther was born in Red Bud, Illinois on January 1, 1915, the daughter of William and Helen Wetzel Fehr. She married Arthur F. Knop on June 9, 1934 at Red Bud, IL. He preceded her in death on April 21, 1982. Esther was a homemaker and she helped her husband in the shoe repair shop (sewing). She was a member of St. John' Lutheran Church, Chester. Esther liked to cook, gardening, sewing and quilting. Esther is survived by one daughter, Doris A. (Herb) Beattie of Sparta; one daughter-in-law, Marian Knop of Chester; grandchildren, William (Kimberly) Knop of Steeleville, Terry (Margaret) Knop of Chester, Kenneth (Tara) Knop of Steeleville, Kathleen (Michael) Forbes of New Bern, NC, and John (Rina) Beattie of Oxnard, CA; great grandchildren, Justin Knop, Kevin Knop, Christian Knop, Hanna Knop, Brent Knop, Theodore "Teddy" Knop, Tyler Knop, Alayna Forbes, Kayleigh Forbes and Lily Beattie. Esther was also preceded in death by her Parents; one son, Roger W. Knop; one great grandchild; 3 brothers; and 1 sister. Funeral service will be at 11:00 am, Monday, February 24, 2014 at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Chester with Rev. Peter Ill officiating. Burial will follow in Paradise Cemetery, Steeleville. Visitation will be at St. John's Lutheran Church, Chester on Sunday from 3 pm until 7 pm, then on Monday from 8 am until 11 am. Memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church, Chester or the Activity Fund at Randolph County Care Center.