Irene R. Esch (97) of Effingham

Irene R. Esch, 97, of Effingham, IL passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Lutheran Care Center in Altamont, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday April 29, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Monday prior to the service at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to Arborcrest Memorial Park or St John’s Altar Guild. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Irene was born on August 25, 1926, in rural Chestnut, Illinois, the daughter of Adolph and Martha (Vandre) Hoffmeister. She was baptized on September 5, 1926 by the Rev. H. Wittrock at Zion Lutheran Church in Chestnut, IL and her baptismal verse was Matthew 28:19. Irene was confirmed on May 19, 1940, by the Rev. M. W. Pott at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in rural Altamont. Her confirmation verse was John 15:5. Irene was married on August 8, 1948 to Harold F. “Pete” Esch by the Rev. W. L. Stellwagen at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Parsonage in rural Altamont. He preceded her in death on July 27, 2010. Irene was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham, helping with the Altar Guild, Ladies Aid, and a former Braille worker. She retired from Fedders Corporation after 26 years of service. Family was important to Irene, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed watching them and devoted much of her time to her grandchildren. Irene also enjoyed quilting and was known to be a wonderful baker, pies being her specialty.

Irene is survived by her sons, David (Lora) Esch of Indianapolis, IN and Randy (Cindy) Esch of Effingham; grandchildren, Bradley Esch of Westfield, IN, Jacqueline Esch of Carmel, IN, Michael (Leslie) Esch of Lake Norman, NC, Cody (Michaela) Esch of St. Louis, MO, and Carly Esch of Effingham; great-grandchildren, Ethan and Landon Esch of Indianapolis, IN, Crew and Collyns Esch of St. Louis, MO, and Anne Mae Esch of Lake Norman, NC.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; son, Mark; and sisters, Gertrude Winter and Leona Feezel, and sister Evelyn who died in infancy.