Esther Steier

Esther L. Steier, of Corydon, IN passed away on March 1, 2026.

Esther was born on July 7, 1929, in Floyd County, Indiana, to her parents James and Ola Mae Keithley. She was a member of Edwardsville United Methodist Church, where she shared her love for God by teaching Sunday school. She was also a member of the EUMC Willing Workers for many years. She enjoyed gardening and spent countless hours tending to her flower beds and pulling weeds. Esther, along with her daughter Sharon, spent many years teaching, performing, and designing costumes for students and professional Hawaiian and Middle Eastern dancers.

Esther was a very gifted seamstress. She started at the young age of six, using leftover fabric and floss from her mother's sewing projects. She had a natural gift for her craft and started making her own clothes at the age of thirteen. She continued to make clothes for her family and friends and eventually found her mother's lifelong passion for quilting, making hundreds of quilts. Everything she made, whether it was a sundress or a wedding dress, an embroidery piece, or a king-size quilt, it was made with joy and an abundance of love for the lucky person on the receiving end.

Esther enjoyed many years providing secretarial and bookkeeping skills to several businesses. These skills became very beneficial when her family needed help with their taxes.

Esther was a woman of many talents, but her greatest gift was her ability to love and care for those around her.

Along with her parents, Esther is preceded in death by her siblings, Martha (infant) Edith Stolberg (Carl), Donald Keithley, and Charles Keithley (Bonnie); her children, Sharon Briles and Robert Steier; her grandson, Derek E. Layman; and her former spouse, Herschel Steier.

She leaves behind her loving daughter, Sandra Layman (Harold); her son, John Steier; her sister-in-law, Judy Keithley (Don) along with ten Grandchildren, many great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews. All of whom were dearly loved.

John and Sandy Kaye wish to extend their gratitude to family and friends who enhanced their mother's life in her ninety-six years here on earth. James and Ola Mae are now reunited with all their children in their final home.

In the tapestry of life, we all weave in and out, but Esther's vibrant threads will forever remain.

Gehlbach & Royse Funeral Home in Corydon, IN has been entrusted with cremation services for Esther. There will be no funeral services scheduled at this time, per Esther's request.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (Esther's favorite), or one of your own favorites.

We invite all who loved Esther to leave their memories and upload photos to her memorial page. In doing so, we keep the image of her vibrant and loving spirit alive and cherished in our hearts.