Mary Esther Halstead of East Cruikshank Road in Middlesex Township died at 4:45 a.m. Saturday at UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

Born in Penn Township March 8, 1922, she was a daughter of William S. Cruikshank and Esther E. Maharg.

She had been an elementary teacher for the Mars School District and belonged to the Pennsylvania State Education Association. She worked in the Butler County Commissioners office in the 1940s.

Mrs. Halstead was an active member of the Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, where her activities included serving as an elder and belonging to the choir and missionary society. She also belonged to the Women's Club of South Butler County and the Grove City Women's Club.

Her husband, Carl H. Halstead, died Oct. 18, 2005.

Surviving are a sister, Margery Cruikshank Bish of Middlesex Township; 11 nieces and nephews; 19 grandnieces and grandnephews; and a number of cousins.

<B>HALSTEAD </B>— Friends of Mary Esther Halstead, who died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St. Visitation also will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, where services will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Greg Weist officiating.Memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels-Southern Butler County, 1091 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia, PA 16059 or to the church of the donor's choice.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.