Obituary of Esther T. Lomerson

Esther (Smith) Lomerson was born August 30, 1925 on a dairy farm just outside of Lebanon in Hunterdon County, NJ. Her Father was a tenant farmer at the time. Esther had an older sister named Mary, and other sister named LuLu who had died a year before Esther was born. When Esther was about to be born, the family thought for sure that this time their baby would be a boy. They weren't disappointed with Esther, but she was given the middle name of Theodora. A brother was born after Esther and was given the family name of Theodore. Another brother came soon after that and he was given the name of Henry because Esther's parents couldn't make it to the hospital in time and he was born in the back seat of a Ford car they owned. Another sister, Renee, came along a few years later, at which time Esther's family moved towards the city to acquire a butcher shop. The Great Depression coincided with the family's move and hit the family hard. The butcher shop had to be closed, and Esther's family had to move 18 times during the depression. Esther's Grandparents owned an apple farm in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County. Esther loved to visit the apple farm. When her Grandmother was expecting a visit from Esther, she would make macaroni and cheese in the warming oven of the old kitchen range (which happens to be one of Esther's favorite foods). Once, when Esther and her sister Mary were visiting the farm, they were both told to stay inside. The two wanted to go out, so they climbed out the second story window and down the pine tree to make their escape! Esther graduated from Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in 1943. While in high school, Esther was involved in various activities, including playing the part of "Little Buttercup" in the school's production of H.M.S. Pinafore. Esther also volunteered as a candy striper at the local hospital. At that time Esther was dating her future husband, Ralph Lomerson, who lived in Lebanon Township. Ralph joined the Army, at which time Esther got a job in the city. They wrote letters back and forth until Ralph finally returned home. They married September 28, 1960. Esther wore her sister Mary's wedding gown (which was used in 15 more weddings, the last being Esther's youngest daughter, Donna). Within a year of marriage, Esther and Ralph's first child, Pat, was born. Then arrived Mary Ruth, followed by Joe, Ron and finally Donna. During those years, Esther and Ralph ran a dairy farm in Lebanon Township. They were active in many groups in the township. In 1960 Esther and Ralph were named "Young Couple of the Year" and represented the NJ State Grange at the National Convention. They were active in their church where Esther was an officer of the Ladies Aid Society and in charge of the Communion Preparation. Esther and Ralph ran the hot dog stand for many decades at the Annual Church Harvest Home. Esther is past president of the Lebanon Twp. P.T.A. and worked in the school cafeteria for 25 years before retiring as manager. Esther had been a member of the Mt. Lebanon Grange for over 60 years and the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary of High Bridge as well. In more recent years, Esther and Ralph have welcomed 13 grandchildren into their family. Having traveled over the years, Esther and Ralph preferred spending time with their beloved family. In retirement, they enjoyed going out to eat, the Annual Family Picnic at the Flemington Fair, and the regular family gatherings every few months for birthdays and other special events. More recently Esther resided at Country Arch in Union Township, NJ. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph J. Lomerson, brother Theodore Smith, Sisters Mary Mascaro and Rennie Beckman, daughter Patricia Nazzaro and her husband Anthony and her granddaughter Cathy Nazzaro Smith. Esther is survived by two daughters: Mary Lomerson Smith of Holland Township, NJ, Donna and her husband Glenn Mayberry of Glen Gardner, NJ and two sons: Joseph T. and his wife Emily of Franklinville, NJ, Ronald G. and his Wife Mary Helen of Glen Gardner, NJ; Sister of one brother: George Smith of Wysox, PA. Also surviving are nine grandchildren Christine Jones, Jodi Salley, Terri Kramer; Stephen, Timothy and Daniel Lomerson, Debra Cummings, Melissa And Parker Mayberry and thirteen Great Grandchildren, Dakota, Kelsey, Cooper, Alexandra, Victoria, Nathaniel, Colin, Hannah, Sadie, Meghan, Matthew, Emma And Aidan. The Visitation will take place Friday, February 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton, NJ. There will be a funeral service held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 21 at Spruce Run Lutheran Church, 442 West Hill Road, Glen Gardner, NJ with Pastor Reverend Gary V. Ettlemyer officiating. The Interment will be held at Spruce Run Cemetery in Lebanon Township, NJ. Memorial donations may be made to Spruce Run Lutheran Church, 442 West Hill Road, Glen Gardner NJ, 08826.