Elaine Phyllis Esch

Elaine P. Esch, 90, of St. Joseph passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, March 30, 2014, at 3:00pm at GraceEvangelicalLutheranChurch, 404 E. Glendlord Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Glenn Rosenbaum officiating.  Burial will take place at RiversideCemetery in Plymouth, MI at a later date. Friends may visit from 1:00pm until the time of the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to GraceEvangelicalLutheranChurch or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Elaine’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Elaine was born November 27, 1923 at home in Northville, MI to Harry Sr. & Helen (Teshka) Sommers. She attended a one room country school from grades first thru 8th grade and was a graduate of NorthvilleHigh School in 1941. Elaine worked as a nurse’s aid at Children’s Hospital in Farmington.  When the war came she went to work at Detroit Diesel making brushings. Management asked her how she became so good at her job, she always replied “Just God’s Gift.” Elaine met her husband Herman Esch while attending an anniversary party. They were married on July 15, 1944 in Northville, MI.  She stayed at home in Plymouth, MI as a homemaker, wife and mother. Later she went on to work at the drapery department at Montgomery Wards and also as a stocker at Arkins warehouse, but also kept a busy schedule caring for her home and family. Elaine loved to square dance and admire her husband’s wood working.  They retired to Grayling, MI.  When Herman died she moved to St. Joseph, MI.  She was a member of GraceEvangelicalLutheranChurch in St. Joseph, a member of the OWLS group and volunteered at the Lighthouse Attic. She is survived by her son Herman (Sharon) Esch; daughter Nancy (Dennis) Niles; grandchildren Julie (Brian) Stegman, Cheryl (Edwin) Gordillo, Cindy (Brian) Wagner and Matthew (Tina) Esch; 9 great grandchildren and sister- in-law Betty Esch. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Herman Esch in 2004 and brother Harry Sommers Jr.