PALMYRA: Died on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the age of 86. Family and friends are invited to call from 4-6pm on Tuesday, January 20 at the Robert L. Yost Funeral Home, Inc, 123 W. Main St., Palmyra where a funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, January 21. Pastor Don White will officiate. Private burial will be in Palmyra Village Cemetery. Please consider donations in Esther’s memory to the East Palmyra Christian School, 2023 E. Palmyra-Port Gibson Rd, Palmyra, NY 14522.

Esther was born on December 31, 1939 in Marion, NY the daughter of John and Jennie Orbaker Nevelezer. She graduated as the class Salutatorian with the Marion High School Class of 1958. Esther and James H. Deys were married on April 18, 1964 in Palmyra, NY. Music was always a big part of Esther’s life having participated in marching band in school, leading the church choir and playing the organ for several area churches for many years. She was very proud to have learned to play the flute at the age of 60. Esther had worked for Garlock in the Industrial Engineering Dept. and also worked from home as a secretary for several area businesses. She had volunteered many hours with the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and the Palmyra Volunteer Ambulance where she put her basic medical training to use to help deliver a baby. Home life found Esther busy baking pies and caring for her family as well as lovingly helping to raise her granddaughter and several other children.

Esther was predeceased by her husband Jim Deys; sisters Naomi Jackson, Ethel Stone, Ruth Cook and Bertha Ross and brothers Albert Nevelizer, Jesse Nevelezer and Ralph Nevelezer. She is survived by her son Chris Deys; granddaughter Sarah (David) Geer and great-grandson Nathaniel Geer and many in-laws, extended family members and friends.