SMETHPORT - Esther L. Nobles, 88, of Smethport, passed away on Monday (Sept. 24, 2012) at Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born on July 24, 1924, to the late Irvin and Della Wells of Shinglehouse. Esther married Leland C. Nobles of Bolivar, N.Y., on Feb. 2, 1942, then settled in Smethport. She most recently resided at Sena-Kean Manor in Smethport.

Esther attended Shinglehouse schools. She was a homemaker for many years to raise her six children and later became employed by the Smethport Area School District cafeteria. She retired in June of 1996. Esther enjoyed numerous hobbies. Over the years, she took great pride in collecting baseball cards, stamps and coins. She shared many hobbies with her husband from raising honey bees, chickens, and peacocks to making wood crafts and gardening. She loved sports and was an avid Smethport Hubber Fan.  She will always be remembered and respected for her determination and strong will. Her family will greatly miss this loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

She is survived by her five children, Shirley (Russ) Warner of Marathon, N.Y., Judy Nobles of Port Allegany, and Sue (Jim) Wallace, Tom (Colleen) Nobles and Kim (Bruce) Miller, all of Smethport; she was the proud grandmother of Jodi (Scott) Flexman, Amy (Kevin) Radford, Patrick Wallace, Melissa Warner, Curt (Stacy) Wallace, Jamie (Kenny) Jividen, Andrew (Kathryn) Warner, Christopher Jenkins, Shana Miller, Kyle Nobles, Shane Miller and Emily Miller; she was also called "Grandma Great" by eight great-grandchildren; she is also survived by one sister, Viola Goodyear of Eldred; and several nieces and nephews. 

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Leland C. Nobles; her infant daughter, Nancy Nobles; beloved daughter, Penny Nobles Jenkins; sisters, Evelyn Hoyt and Marie Brown; and brothers, Stellman, Charles and Russell Wells.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Hilltop Baptist Church, Gifford, with the Rev. Max Simms, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport. 

The family has requested memorials be made in Esther's name to Central New York Baptist Youth Camp, P.O. Box 204, Marathon, N.Y. 13803. (Directed by her son-in-law Russ Warner); the Smethport Fire Department; or Sena-Kean Manor activities fund.  Online condolences can be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com