She was born in Herkimer on Oct. 8, 1916, to Arthur and Lutie Rachel Gould Barker.  She moved to Indiana in 2001 from Adams, NY where she had been a member of the Lorraine United Methodist Church.
Esther was a homemaker, but had worked as a nurse’s aide at Herkimer Memorial Hospital.  She had also worked at Borden’s in Newport, Munger’s Department Store in Herkimer and Belloff’s Department Store in Adams.  She enjoyed Bible study, sewing, knitting, ceramics, cooking, and especially baking pies.
She married Charles Edward Thomas on Oct. 18, 1939, in the Norway Baptist Church, Norway. They resided in Herkimer and later in Middleville.  Charles died on Feb. 4, 1949.
She married Albert Wesley Peyton Jr. on Dec. 18, 1965 at the home of Rev. Hutchinson, Bellville.  They resided in Adams and later in Lorraine until Albert’s death on Nov. 6, 2000.
Surviving are her daughter, Sharon (John S.) Flansburg of Goshen, IN; son, Dale Charles Thomas of Cleveland, GA; a stepdaughter-in-law, Jane Peyton of Pulaski, a stepson, Gary Peyton of NM; one stepdaughter, Becky Peyton Spaziani of Black River, eight grandchildren, Michael Candela, Joyce Hilts Candela, Lisa Smith Candela, Deborah Candela Jacquays, Melissa Candela, Jeffrey Thomas, John A. Thomas, and Barbara Thomas Van Buren; nineteen great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Barker Clausen; and a grandson, Jeffrey T. Candela, who died in 2007.
The funeral service was held on Mar. 22, 2008 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, IN with the Revs. James Shrock and Gregg Lanzen of First Baptist Church, Goshen officiating.
Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer, on May 17, with the committal service being held at 11:30 a.m.  Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Lorraine United Methodist Church, or First Baptist Church, Goshen.  Local funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home Inc., Herkimer.