Betty Marie (Smith) Esker, 102, of Norwalk, OH, passed away Monday evening, November 1, 2021 at Fisher Titus Medical Center after a brief illness.

Betty was born on November 25, 1918 in Norwalk, OH to the late Delbert and Mary Lucina (Lawrence) Smith. Semi-orphaned at age 8, Betty helped her struggling family by delivering her mother's freshly laundered and ironed clothes around town in her wagon.

A 1936 valedictorian of her Norwalk High School class, Betty was awarded a college scholarship, but because of the financial times, was unable to accept and later attended the BGSU extension.

One of the original trustees for Norwalk area Meals on Wheels, Betty served as treasurer for more than 20 years. She was also one of the original employees of Service for the Aging and after 22 years, retired and then volunteered part-time for a few more years. Betty assisted at the St. Vincent de Paul Society and as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Paul's Catholic Church for many years.

An avid reader, she reviewed new books for the local library. In recent years, her diminished eyesight did not prevent her from enjoying books from the Society for the Blind. Betty continued to pursue intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth during her residency at the Carriage House. Throughout her life she remained an inspiration to her expanding family, many friends, and admirers in the community.

Betty is survived by 6 children; daughters, Joanna Rose (Joseph) Sullivan, Kathleen Marie Esker Hellmann, and Anne Marie Esker (Joseph Nacchio); sons, Michael James (Joan McIntyre) Esker, William Edward (Connie Hansen) Esker and Thomas James Esker.

Betty also leaves 16 grandchildren; James Sullivan, Jon Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Michael P. Esker, David Esker, Daniel Esker, Christopher Hellmann, Heidi Hellmann, Robert Esker, Ilse Esker-Hayslip, Christiane Esker-Petty, Ashley Alloway, David Nacchio, Michael Nacchio, Nicholas Esker and Adam Esker; 24 great-grandchildren; Joseph M. Sullivan, Lillie Sullivan, Andrew Sullivan, Draper Sullivan, Eleanor Sullivan, Seth Sullivan, Weston Sullivan, Kylie Esker, Hannah Esker, M. Andrew Esker, Sarah Esker, Carrie Grace Esker, Francis Esker, Norah Esker, June Esker, Cynan Hellmann, Ciara Hellmann, Kavita Sivaraman, Yamini Sivaraman, Liliana Esker, Sydney Esker, Harley Hayslip, Winnie Hayslip and Lucas Nacchio.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James Joseph Esker, who passed away in 1969 at the age of 50; son, Christopher James Esker; step-father, Elmer J. Rickley; brother, James Russell Smith; sister-in-law, Grace Smith and son-in-law, Richard (Dick) Lee Hellmann.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021 from 9 am to 10 am at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857. A procession will follow to St. Paul's Catholic Church, 91 E Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 for a 10:30 am Funeral Mass. Burial will follow at St. Paul's Cemetery.

Those wishing to contribute to Betty's memory may do so to The Carriage House, 175 Shady Lane Drive, Norwalk, OH 44857, Senior Enrichment Services, 130 Shady Lane Drive, Norwalk, OH 44857 or to Norwalk Catholic Schools, 93 E Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared online at www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.