Esther Ferdinand CARBONDALE -- Esther May (nee Swalley) Ferdinand died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, in Oak Grove Rehabilitation Center (formerly the Abbey) in Carbondale. She was born June 16, 1903, in Reading, Pa., and lived most her life in South Bend, Ind. On June 8, 1923, she married Harold Way Ferdinand. He preceded her in death on April 2, 1963. She had two boys, Harold Way Ferdinand Jr., who died in 1998, and Theodore N. Ferdinand, who survives in Carbondale. She was the daughter of Joesph Swalley and Stella Frankhauser Swalley, and had one brother, who also preceded her in death. Her mother died when Esther was a small child. Her father remarried and moved to South Bend. In South Bend, she had a half-sister, Ella Mary Swalley and a half-brother, Joseph Swalley. She came to Carbondale in 1994 to be near her son, and lived seven years in Oak Grove Rehabilitation Center. Four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren survive in Texas and Florida. In South Bend, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and during World War II, she was office manager of the South Bend Draft Board, where she inducted her oldest son, Harold Ferdinand Jr., in to the Army in 1942. She worked continuously through the Great Depression and World War II. She and Harold helped both sons selflessly as the two boys grew into adulthood. She was a kind, generous and loving wife and mother and served as a fine example for her children and their children. Even at 100 years, we hate to see her go. Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements.