Esperanza Hathway Obituary

Esperanza Hathway, 86, of Kimberling City, MO, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 15, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Esperanza was born to Miguel and Gertrudis (Rodriguez) Murgas, on February 22, 1939, in the Republic of Panama Nancito Chiriqui.

Esperanza met James Hathway at Fort Clayton in the Panama Canal Zone, where they married, July 5, 1956. They moved to Peoria, IL in 1957 and raised four children. In 1977, she graduated from Illinois Central College with her RN license and started her career at Proctor Hospital working in Intensive Care, after retiring from Proctor, she moved to Kimberling City, MO where she worked for another five years at Cox Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Esperanza had a heart for Jesus and anyone who knew her knew her great faith which she would share solicited or not. She was a member of Westside Christian Church, Republic, MO.

Esperanza is preceded in death by her parents, Miguel and Gertrudis Murgas, husband, James Hathway, two infant children, two brothers, Demostenes Murgas and Jorge Murgas, three sisters, Eustacia Murgas, Amparo Burch and Maria Murgas.

She is survived by one son, Karl Hathway (Joanne), three daughters, Pat Hathway-Beezley, Martiza Barnes (Michael), and Christine Foster (Todd), one brother, Virgilio Murgas (Adela), three sisters, Martina Murgas VanDuyne, Fernanda Morals and Juana Rubio, five grandchildren, Tiffany, Janis, Ashley, Emily and Benjamin, six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 14, 2025, at the Westside Christian Church, Republic, MO.  The service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m., at the Westside Christian Church, Republic, MO.  Burial will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, MO.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, MO.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Westside Christian Church, Missions Fund, Republic, MO.