ILION-NORTH COLUMBIA - Esther M. Hyer, age 73, of North Columbia Road, Ilion (Town of Columbia), passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford, surrounded by the comfort of her family by her side. Esther was born on May 6, 1942, in Ilion, the daughter of Ralph and Roma (Yaw) Brewer, and graduated from Mohawk High School in 1960. She was married to Gerald "Jerry" Hyer on July 7, 1962, at the North Columbia Methodist Church, where she was a lifetime member. He died on August 19, 2014. She spent her whole life in the same farmhouse where she grew up. She moved down the road to the new house twelve years ago. Esther was employed as an LPN at Ilion Hospital and later at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, retiring in 2012. She worked fifty plus years and loved working with the newborn babies. In addition to working fulltime, Esther helped out on the farm, even swinging a hammer when necessary. She actively supported her church by baking pies and making potato salad for the Ice Cream Social and working at the Cedarville Fire Dept. Lenten Fish Dinners. Esther had a large vegetable garden and was fond of planting flowers. She especially enjoyed playing with her grandchildren. Surviving family members include her three sons and two daughters-in-law, Harold Hyer, of Ilion, Howard and Mary Hyer, of South Bethlehem, NY, and Herbert Hyer, of Ilion, and his wife, Kendall, of Walterboro; her twin daughters and sons-in-law, Ellen and Wade Abbott, of Rotterdam, and Ruth and Hans Drews, of St. Johnsville; her ten cherished grandchildren; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Hazel and David Partington, of Ohio, and Ann and George Riley, of AZ; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at the Jesus Never Fails Community Church, 1161 Elizabethtown Rd., Ilion (Town of Columbia), with Pastor Hans Drews officiating. Interment will be in North Columbia Cemetery next to her husband, Gerald "Jerry". Calling hours are Monday, June 8, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's newly reopened home at 102 West St., Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Esther, or add to her online memorial, may go to: www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Jesus Never Fails Community Church, c/o Sandy Dievendorf, 446 Spohn Rd., Ilion, NY 13357. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. The Hyer family has entrusted Esther's service arrangements and supervision to their family Funeral Director and friend, Don Applegate.