Esther M. Smyers

Esther M. Smyers, 97, formerly of Idaville, PA, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, in the Brookdale Grandon Farms, Mechanicsburg. She was born on October 10, 1928, in Carlisle to the late Chester and Ruth (Cline) McKinney and was the widow of Rodney Smyers who passed away in 2021.

Esther worked at and retired from McCoy Electronics in Mt. Holly Springs. She and Rodney attended Idaville United Brethren Church. They lived at the original Smyers family home in Idaville the first 66 years of their 73 years of marriage before moving to Mechanicsburg in 2014.

Esther liked gardening, cooking, baking goodies, bus trips with Rodney, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She knew what the kids wanted whether it was a jar full of candy set out to destroy the next meal, a shiny beaded necklace to captivate a restless infant, or a warm lap that could still hold a teenager up until this past summer. Esther loved hard with big hugs and through food and she never wanted anyone to leave her home hungry. She also enjoyed the company of several family dogs including her own special Blondie.

Esther spoke with quiet intention which would make her louder moments exclaiming “For Pete's Sake!” that much more amusing and impactful. She had a light laugh, eyes that sparkled, and a quick-witted back and forth banter with her family.

Surviving Esther are her children, William (Carol) Smyers, Thomas (Cheryl) Smyers, and Sharon Zeigler; granddaughters, Allison (Phil) Hollen and Amanda (Christopher) Scheler; great-grandchildren, Elliott Hollen, Ezra, Maeve, and Jonas Scheler; and her brother, Max. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her brother, Lynn; sister, Dorothy; and son-in-law, Larry Zeigler.

Private funeral services will be held for the immediate family. Arrangements are being handled by Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs. Visit HollingerFuneralHome.com to offer condolences to the family.