Mrs. Esther B. Austin, 84, of 32 North Main Street, died Wednesday August 2nd, 2017 at New York Weil Cornell Medical Center, New York City, of natural causes. Esther was a volunteer in a program for a clinical study for a rare blood disease involving leukemia.

She was born in Oppenheim, on October 2, 1932 the daughter of Edson and Ella (Montana) Bowers and was a graduate of Oppenheim School, class of 1948.

Esther was previously married to William Sidoran who died in 1951. She then married Rodney W. Stewart in 1955 who also has predeceased. Most recently she was married to Larry B. Austin on August 24, 1983 in Little Falls, and he predeceased her on July 7, 2015.

Esther was a co-owner of Green Acres drive that she and her husband Rodney, took over in 1956, and developed it from a small ice cream stand to what it is today, serving a variety of foods, sandwiches and soft ice cream. It is now under the ownership of their daughter Ruth, and her husband Peter and their daughter Julia, and the family is celebrating 60 years of service to the area.

Esther was very community minded, owning and operating the Plum Tree Gift store both on Main Street in Dolgeville, and a second location in Lowville for many years. In addition to this she was a partner and bookkeeper for her husband Larry’s plumbing and mechanical services until his passing in 2015. Working tirelessly for the community she was a founding member of the East Canada Valley Vision Club of Dolgeville, and was instrumental in starting the Violet Festival, which is has been held for the last 19 years in the village of Dolgeville. She had been the chair person who worked to publish the brochure, solicited ads from local business, helped secure bands and floats for the annual parade. She also did volunteer work for the Little Falls Community Co-op for many years.

Esther received the Community Service Award from the Violet Festival for her many years of volunteering, the Herkimer County Senior Citizen Community Award, she was also a Republican Committee member at large, a member of the Order of Easter Star, Auskerada Chapter, serving as “Ruth” for many years in their ritualistic services. She was a loving Mother and Grandmother and loved spending time with her family.  She personally enjoyed gardening, cooking and entertaining family and friends at her home, and she was an avid reader.

Most recently she would transport several Amish children to school and back home so they could attend their school.

She is survived by her children Edson and his wife Carol Stewart of Dolgeville, Sally Madison and her companion Gary Webb of Dolgeville, Ruth and her husband Peter Jaikin of Dolgeville, and Laura and her husband Jeffrey George of Little Falls, Larry B. Austin Jr of Little Falls, and his wife Corrina Henkel-Austin of Germany, Craig and his wife Judith Austin of Maryland, Bryan and his wife Harriet Austin of Maryland, Sheri and her husband Donald Stallman of Salisbury, a Brother Don Bowers of Oppenheim, a Sister Betty Aiello of Syracuse, her sisters in law Mardis Bowers of Wells, NY and Marcia Bowers of Dolgeville,Theatra Harrison, Linda Dykeman , and Juanita Jones, her grandchildren  Shaad, Alana, Jerrad, Julia, Alyssa , Nathan, James, Justin, Kyle ,Kaitlin, David, Paige,Lynn, Roman, Llium and Brandy, Zachary,her great grandchildren Tabitha, Sam, Eric, Ella, Keira, Garrett and John. In addition, she has very close friends, John and Jackie Rachon, Fred DeLucco and Helen Johnson. She was predeceased by her Brothers Ed, Cy and Herbert Bowers, her sister in laws Teresa, Lucille, and Wilma Bowers and a brother in law Pat Aiello, a step son Jack Sidoran and a grandson Ryan.

Funeral services will be held Monday August 7th, 2017 at 11:00am at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Albany Street in Little Falls, with Rev. Dr. Steven A. Scarcia, officiating. Burial will follow in the Dolgeville Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 4-7 PM at the Roberts Funeral Home 3 Faville Avenue Dolgeville.

Memorials may be made in her memory to the Manheim Public Library or to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.

A message of sympathy or a remembrance of Esther may be shared with the family at www.robertsfuneralcare.com.

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