George L. Essig

George L. Essig of St. Charles Mass of Christian Burial for George L. Essig, 84, will be held at 11 a.m. today, at St. Patrick Church, 408 Cedar St., St. Charles. The Rev. Joseph Linster will be the celebrant. Born July 30, 1917, in Bellwood, the son of George A. and Anna (nee Korrell) Essig, he died Wednesday, July 17, 2002, at his home. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Geneva. Mr. Essig's parents moved to St. Charles in 1921. George's father started the Essig Hardware Store in St. Charles, which was in business until the 1970s. George attended St. Patrick School and graduated from Marmion Military Academy in Aurora on an academic scholarship. After 60 years in the steel forging business, George retired as executive vice president of Federal Forge Company in Lansing, Mich. George and Mary Ronan were married on June 28, 1941, at St. Patrick Church, St. Charles. Throughout life, George's family, friends and business associates respected and loved him for his commitment to his Catholic faith, his positive attitude to "give 'em a little extra," a tremendous interest in people, and his love of learning. He is survived by his precious wife of 61 years, Mary; awesome children, Anne (Jim) Matteoni of Kansas City, Kan., Kathleen (Tom) Martinek of Greensboro, N.C., George (Theresa) Essig of San Diego, Calif., Stephen (Patricia) Essig of Naperville, Martin (Eileen) Essig of Mequon, Wis., Jane (Mark) Schoomaker of Calgary, Canada, Julia (Luis) Garza of Boulder, Colo., and Mary (Mark) White of St. Charles; 27 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his sisters, Esther Marie Essig, Shirley Essig Winston and Gladys Essig Barnes; and brothers, Raymond Essig and Wilfrid Essig. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jesuit Community of Loyola University, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626; Huntington's Disease Society of America, Generation 2000 Campaign, 158 W. 29th St., New York, NY 10011-5300; or to DuPage PADS, 705 W. Liberty, Wheaton, IL 60187. Arrangements were made by Norris Funeral Home, St. Charles. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For more funeral information, (630)584-2000 or www.NorrisFH.com.