Hester Mae Bales

BALES, Hester Mae (nee Wesley), age 80, of Cincinnati, OH passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 7, 2013. She was born in Science Hill, KY on December 10, 1932, to the late William Ray and Zelma Wesley. She was the former owner of the Chili Bowl restaurant in Elmwood for 23 years and worked as a cook at the Bridgehouse restaurant in Reading for over 30 years. She started her cooking career as a WAC in the Army during the Korean War. Hester enjoyed watching college basketball, football and golf. She enjoyed trips to the casinos, traveling, bowling and raised whippet dogs for a period of time. She spent a few years after retirement in Florida and was always ready for a road trip. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edgar Thomas Wesley and daughter Carol Rae Lay. She is survived by her only sister, Margaret E. Wesley, her Aunt Thelma Ferrell, her daughter Kim Hope McMahon (Lay), her nephew Bill Wesley, her four grandchildren Michael, Don-Nichole, Stefani and Daniel, three great-grandchildren, and multiple great nieces and nephews. She was “Granny” to so many people and will be terribly missed by all. She will be lovingly remembered for her kindness, hard work, good cooking, and devotion to her family and friends. Visitation to be held at Hodapp Funeral Home, 7401 Vine St., Carthage, Monday from 4 pm until funeral service at 7 pm.