Carol J. Hayner, 85, entered into eternal rest on January 22, 2026, at her home with her family by her side.

Carol June (Keeler) was born on June 11, 1940 in Ballston Spa, the youngest of seven children to her late parents John H. Keeler and Belle (Castle) Keeler. She grew up on a family dairy farm on land that is now the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory/Kesselring site in West Milton, and graduated from Ballston Spa High School where she played multiple sports and was voted Best Female Athlete of her class of 1958.

Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Harvey S. Hayner, who passed on January 30, 2025; her siblings: Ruth, Warren, Earl, Everett, and Marian. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Pingelski, and her three sons: Kenneth (Sharon) Hayner, Norman (Deana) Hayner, and Craig (Carolyn) Hayner; grandchildren: Evan (Danielle), Jessica (Jordan), Ashley (Justin), Joshua (Rachel), Nicole, Emily (Nate), Rebecca, Luke, and Joel; several great-grandchildren;

Carol loved working with her hands and had a keen eye for detail. From an early age she loved to draw and paint and throughout her life she created numerous signs and paintings that adorned both her home and the family farm. As her boys got older, she not only repaired and resurrected many of their ball gloves, but eventually developed a reputation that would see numerous gloves dropped off at the house from players and parents far and wide.

Carol's singular focus in life, however, was simple: taking care and selflessly putting the needs of her family first and above all else. This started with the love of her life, Harvey, whom she worked side by side doing EVERYTHING with on the farm. From tractor driving, fixing machinery, caring for animals, tending multiple gardens to raising a busy family, she was the epitome of "hands-on" and the center of family life at home and on the farm. In short, Carol was the quiet connection that made all things work smoothly within the family unit throughout the years.

She and Harvey were inseparable, and to speak of one was to speak of the other. Together they enjoyed polka dancing… watching their sons play ball from youth through college … supporting the boys and their wives entrepreneurial pursuits (Ken/Sharon, Norm/Deana - The Sports Barn) and Craig and Carolyn (Hayner's Ice Cream)… and traveling to watch 9 grandchildren's various sports and arts activities.

Carol faced a 24 year battle with cancer, among many other physical challenges and surgeries, which she met with quiet faith, determination, strength and resilience that defined her. She never complained and always kept a positive attitude and outlook on life, always believing better days were ahead.

The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to Carol's personal caregivers, Laura Dodge, Heidi Blowers, Mary Brown, Barbara Zielinski, Joy Stallmer, and grandchildren Ashley (Hayner) Platt and Luke Hayner.

Carol was a lifetime member of the Shenendehowa Methodist Church. It is here that a period of visitation for her will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, January 30, 2026, 971 Route 146 Clifton Park, NY 12065. A funeral service will take place at the church the following day, Saturday, January 31, at 11:00 am. Burial will take place at the Clifton Park Center Baptist Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, address above or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.