Essel P. Lasley

Essel P. Lasley, 97, of Zanesville, died Sunday, November 16, 2008 at her residence. She was born June 18, 1911, in Ostrander, Ohio, a daughter of the late Spencer and Bertha Stone Roush. She worked for the Muskingum County Treasurer's Office and was a former secretary and long time member at Fair Oaks Baptist Church. She was co-director along with her late husband, Rev. Meredith K. Lasley between 1967-1977. She conducted seven tours to more than 15 countries in the Middle East and Western and Eastern Europe. She was a member of the Worthy Matron Susan B. Anthony Chapter of O.E.S. in Bethel, Ohio and the Ohio America Baptist Ordination Comm. She was also a past liaison of the South Zanesville Senior Citizens, past moderator of the Zanesville Baptist Churches Association and a past member of O.E.S. 485 in Zanesville. Surviving are two daughters, Sharon (Douglas) Thorndale of Sebring, Florida and Saundra (Joseph A.) Nader of Zanesville; 4 grandchildren, Larry G. (Sarah) Newsom Jr. of Mebane, NC., Deborah (Jeff) Zoll and Michelle (Kevin) Gunter, both of Lexington, Kentucky and Mary (Brian) Diamond of Zanesville; 6 great grandchildren, Heather (Rob) Eppley and Zachary Gunter, both of Lexington, Kentucky, Alex and Chelsea Newsom, both of Mebane, NC and Meyer and Avery Elizabeth Diamond, both of Zanesville; a sister-in-law, Anna Francis Lasley of Delaware; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Meredith K. Lasley, whom she married September 19, 1936 and who died March 5, 1991; three sisters, Ellen Mann, Eva Fontainelle and Ernestine Bell; two brothers, Ernest Roush and Elwood Roush; a grandson, Joseph J. Nader and a brother-in-law, Rev. Thomas Lasley. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Buchanan officiating. Burial will follow at Millcreek Cemetery in Ostrander, Ohio, Delaware County. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Ohio Valley Affiliate, PO Box 163549, Columbus, Ohio, 43216-3549.