He loved soccer and playing with his siblings, and his family was always amused by his uncommon love of cheese, she said. He excelled in Cub Scouts and school work and was especially good at math. When he began attending public schools he was at the top of his class, she said.

Eight-year-old Esther was "the epitome of a righteous, loving child," who was so pure she couldn't even comprehend the idea of evil, said her uncle Quinn Howard.

"She was always there for a hug and some affection as you came in the door," Quinn Howard said. "You didn't need a pet because as soon as you'd sit down, Esther was in your lap."

Esther had good relationships with her siblings, especially her younger brother, Caleb. She also had a strong imagination, which was shown as she invented games with her siblings.

Ben Howard is self-employed, and the family doesn't have medical insurance, and a fund has been set up to help cover medical costs. Donations to the Howard Family Relief Fund will be accepted at any Washington Mutual bank.

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E-mail: dfelix@desnews.com