Esther Mae Gayheart

A funeral service for Esther Mae Gayheart, 86, of Utica, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2025, at Brucker-Baker Funeral Home, with Pastor Donnie Owens officiating. Burial will follow at Wilson Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Monday prior to the service at the funeral home, 34 N. Main St., Utica, OH.

Esther passed away October 9, 2025, at the Selma Markowitz Hospice Care Center. She was born November 25, 1938, in Canalville, OH, to the late Marvin and Rhea (Anderson) Patterson

Esther's passion for collecting nutcrackers was inspiring. She enjoyed reading and coloring. Her cooking skills and decorating talent uplifted those around her. She maintained a pristine home and prioritized family above all. Esther's selflessness and unwavering dedication to her loved ones made her a truly remarkable woman.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Richard Brown Gayheart; children, Geraldine (James) Scanlon, Rick (Pamela) Gayheart, and Steven Gayheart; grandchildren, Richard (Maria) Hysong, Terry (Mallory) Hysong, James "Jimmy" Scanlon, Gerald (Alex) Scanlon, Rainer Gayheart, and Reagan Gayheart; great-grandchildren, Carter Hysong, Dakota Scanlon, Rowan Scanlon, Gianna Smith, and Hayden Smith; sister-in-law, Donalene Patterson, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Derrick Gayheart, and siblings, Lawrence (Rosemary) Patterson, Earl Patterson, Pearl (Reathel) Patterson, Roy Patterson, and Virginia (Robert) Rohde.

To sign an online guest book, please visit www.law-bakerfuneralhome.com.