Arnulf W. "Arnie" Esterer

Arnulf W. “Arnie” Esterer, 88, of Conneaut, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at his home. He was born in Bochum, Germany on May 8, 1932, the son of Arnulf Karl and Marie (Burt) Esterer.

Arnie graduated from high school in 1950, received his bachelor’s degree in 1954, and his master’s degree in 1955. He was a retired Navy Captain, retiring after 25 ½ years of service.

Arnie was the founder and operator of Markko Vineyard since 1968. He was inducted into the Ohio Wine Producers Hall of Fame and received the Award of Merit from the American Wine Society. In addition to numerous other awards

He was of Bahai Faith and attended First Presbyterian church, where he was a member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher, and an elder. He was a member of the Conneaut Rotary Club, JC of Ashtabula, the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and was on the board of Goodwill Industries.

Survivors include his son Andrew B. Esterer of St Louis, MO, and his three children: Sharon Ashcraft McCarthy, Amanda and Alex Esterer, and great grandchildren: Thomas and Kellen McCarthy, and Rowan Dean; his son David C. Esterer of Dublin, OH, his wife, Lisa Anne Esterer, and their three children: Tyler Fogal, Madeline, and Eleanor Grace Esterer; his son Paul Esterer of Bentonville, AR, his wife, Rebecca Hall Esterer, and their four children: Benjamin J., Matthew F., David A. and Sidney C. Esterer; his daughter, Katherine Esterer Miller of Greensboro, NC, her husband, Richard Miller and their three children: Susan, David, and Peter Miller; and his sister Alice (Esterer) Sickels of Santa Cruz, CA, and her daughter Wendy Sickels of Santa Cruz, CA, her husband Greg Whitley, and her daughter Kate, and son Benjamin and Ethan of Santa Cruz, CA; and Sarah McClennen of North Woodstock, NH, husband Steve Howell, daughter Margaret Nathanson and son Vincent Meninno.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife Kate Micou Esterer; and his sister Marianna (Esterer) McClennen.

All Faiths Celebration of Life and Reflection of the Vines will take place Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Markko Vineyards, 4500 S. Ridge Rd., Conneaut, OH. Please park along Under Ridge and South Ridge Rd between 10:30 AM-11:15AM. Procession will begin at approximately 11:30 AM out to the Vineyards.

With the current COVID-19 Pandemic, all State of Ohio rules will apply, those attending must always wear masks and social distancing will be observed.

Contributions may be made in memory of Arnie to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, the Conneaut Arts Center, Community Action Agency, or the Ashtabula Arts Center. Envelopes will be available at the service and at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, OH which is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Sign the guestbook at www.marcyfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arnulf W. "Arnie" Esterer, please visit our floral store.