Esther Louise (Allen) Hurley, 90, passed away at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri on July 22, 2026. She was born June 18, 1936, the daughter of John C. “Jack” and Ethel (Post) Allen in Centerville, Iowa. She attended Moulton School for twelve years, graduating in 1953. She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.
In 1954, she married Vernon Moore and to this union their daughter, Barbara Joan, was born. They later divorced. On November 30, 1962, she married Norman Kenneth Hurley in Columbia, Missouri. He later adopted Barbara.
Esther worked in the Appanoose County Auditor’s office for 18 years and retired as Moulton City Clerk after twelve years of service. In later years, Esther worked as a secretary at Elliott Tax office in Centerville, Iowa. She also worked as a travel agent for Mid Missouri Travel of Lancaster, Missouri then for Sho Me Tours of Atlanta, Missouri and also escorted tour groups.
Esther was a member of First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa. She was a past president of P.E.O. and Centerville BPW Club, and a 50-year member of Centerville O.E.S. She was also a member of several area quilt guilds and the Angus Auxiliary – both at the local and state level.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Danny) Haines of Moulton, Iowa; two granddaughters, Erica Tunink of Adair, Iowa, Melissa (Bradley) VanBlaricon of Centerville, Iowa: six great-grandchildren, Hayden (Tori Carroll), Cooper (Audrey Franzeen), Brennan and Chase Tunink, Shelby (Trevor Hesseltine) Vanderheyden and Rilynn (Gauge Arbogast) Fenton; along with two great-great-grandsons, Anakin VoPava and Cassius Hesseltine.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ethel Allen; husband, Norman Hurley; and great-great-granddaughter, Luna Louise Riot VoPava.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Sunset View Cemetery in Moulton, Iowa after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Garrett Memorial Library in Moulton, Iowa, Drake Public Library in Centerville, Iowa and the Welcome Center in Bloomfield, Iowa.
