Marjorie J. Essig

Marjorie J. Essig, age 94, of Huntington, died at 6:54 p.m. Monday, December 12, 2016 at Parkview Huntington Hospital. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 530 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana. Funeral services will immediately follow at 12 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Rapp officiating. Burial will be in Gardens of Memory in Huntington County. Preferred memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church for the Chancel Choir, Handbell Assembly, or Epworth Forest Cottage Retreat Center, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana, 46750. Marge was born on March 7, 1922 in Huntington, the daughter of L.D. and Mildred (Smith) Orr. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1939 and married Emil C. Essig on January 7, 1943 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntington; he preceded her in death on January 12, 1982. Mrs. Essig was primarily a mother and an active volunteer until husband Emil died. She also worked at Repp’s Grocery Store, later Close’s Grocery Store in Huntington. In addition, she worked at Art Chemical Clay Factory in Huntington. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church since marrying Emil and could be counted on for helping in any way needed, especially decorating tables for various church dinners. She loved reading, hiking outdoors, gardening, and coffee breaks with Emil and his partner Louis Hanson of Essig and Hanson, contracting carpenters. She and Emil loved music and singing and were members of the church choir. She was devastated when Emil died suddenly. From then on, she worked across from her home at what was called Road Runner, a convenience store and gas station, making many more friends and retaining customers, until her first major stroke in 1996. Marge and sisters Patsy and Mary sang the jingle for sports broadcaster Chris Schenkel’s weekly Radio Show. She lived by the motto, “I am one, I am only one, I cannot do much but I can do something.” She was the leader of Girl Scout Troop 465 for more than a dozen members of Susie’s HHS class of 1966. She and her husband Emil served as Methodist Youth Fellowship sponsors for years, as well as chaperones for Jobs Daughters and members of Eastern Star. She was well known for her German Sweet Chocolate Cake and table decorating. After Emil’s death, Marjorie dressed as E.T., from the movie about the precious Extra Terrestrial, and spoke to groups to raise money for a special emergency phone line, something Emil didn’t have. She was the recipient of the 1990 Union Church Christian Heritage Award “for her life of quiet Christian service,” was a board member of Associated Churches of Huntington County, and was an active member of Church Women United. After her first stroke eliminated the use of her entire and dominant right side, she requested left-handed scissors so she could continue to clip and mail news articles to friends. She typed letters, using only her left hand, to shut-ins and family. In April 2016, she had additional strokes which kept her completely bedfast until her death. Survivors include three daughters - Patricia K. (Werner) Koslowski of Melbourne, Florida, Carolyn “Susie” (Daniel) Knust of Marshfield, Missouri, and Julie A. Essig, her primary caregiver since her 1996 stroke; a sister - Joan Patricia “Pat” Landis of Huntington; four grandchildren - Gina Lynn (Mark) Stephens, John (Brenda) Lynn, Scott (Annika) Moore, and Lindsey (John) Gant; great grandchildren - Amanda, Matthew, and Nathan Stephens, Jessica and Kyle Lynn, Lilja and Emrik Moore, and Lillian Gant; four great-great grandchildren - Dominic, Isaiah, and Asher Lynn, and Hennessee Stephens; beloved nieces and a nephew, grandnieces and grandnephews and their children. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister, Mary Katherine Hanson.

Marjorie J. Essig

March 7, 1922 - December 12, 2016