Ester (Svalya) Lewis

Ester Lewis, 93 of Deputy, IN, passed away at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Scottsburg, IN on May 15, 2017.  She was born on January 7, 1924 in Detroit, MI to Michael and Helen (Kropchak) Svalya.  She graduated from Pershing Park High School in Detroit, MI, worked as a delivery person for an eye doctor, worked riveting airplane engines from 1943-1945.  She was a member of the Rosie the Riveter Association.

Ester is survived by her two sons; Patrick M. (Jean) Lewis of Waterford, New Jersey, Michael D. (Vera) Lewis of Canon City, Colorado; daughters: E. Shannon (Jesse) Taylor of Deputy, IN and Helen E. (Dennis) Sutherland of Deputy, IN; step-son John W. (Toni) Lewis of Cincinnati, OH; sister Anne Bulloch of Warren, MI; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years Samuel M. Lewis, 5 brothers, 3 sisters, 1 grandson, and 1 great-granddaughter.

In her youth she enjoyed skating, gymnastic stunts, swimming, and other athletic activities.  She may have been born in the Roaring 20’s, but she grew up in the Depression 30’s and was a part of the Greatest Generation in the 40’s.  She worked alongside her husband on their farm in the 1950’s and 60’s.  When her husband retired, she assisted him with his bird dog business and traveled with him and their Tennessee Walking Horses to many Field Trials.  They also traveled several time to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed word & number search puzzles, UpWords games, TV game shows, birdwatching, gardening, lawn mowing, farming, collecting rocks & fossils, sun catchers, music boxes, elephant figurines, paperweights, and even ironing on her industrial Iron Right.

Besides her family, she loved her lap dogs, usually a black & tan Dachshund.  She assisted with the family genealogy and remembered everyone on their birthdays and anniversaries with a card or letter. 

She was raised in the Assembly of God church.  She was one of the founding members of the First Assembly of God Church in Madison, IN in the 1950’s.  She attended many area churches including Kent Christian Church where her father-in-law had been pastor years ago.  She loved Gospel Music, attended numerous National Quartet Conventions, and all night Renfro Valley Hymn Sings.  Recently she participated in most, if not all the religious related activities offered at Hickory Creek of Scottsburg.

Memorial services will be held at the Grayson Funeral Home in Hanover on Thursday May 25, 2017 at 5:00pm.  Visitation will begin on Thursday at 4:00pm.  In place of flowers the family has asked for contributions to the donor’s favorite charity.  March of Dimes, Leukemia Foundation, American Heart Association, your local Hospice Association, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association were among her favored charities.

 Service Information