Freda J. Esch

FREDA JANE ESCH
1928 – 2005

Freda J. Esch, age 76 of Pigeon, died Monday, September 5, 2005 at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe, after lengthy illnesses caused by diabetes and heart disease.

She was born November 2, 1928 in Elkton, to the late Peter and Flora (Parker) Kivel. On August 28, 1948, she and Clayton D. Esch were united in marriage, at his parent’s home in Winsor Township.

Freda was a homemaker and devoted mother all her life. In the late 1960s, she became a beautician and owned and operated Freda’s Beauty Salon on Main Street in Pigeon for over 10 years. She and her husband enjoyed collecting antiques and antique glassware and traveled to flea markets around the state as vendors. She also collected porcelain dolls and stuffed animals. Together the couple enjoyed spending time together at their cabin near Mio.

Freda was also a member of the Community Wesleyan Church in Elkton.

Surviving are her family, who were so important to her: Clayton, her husband of 57 years; three sons: Denny (Dee) Esch of Pigeon, Chuck (Cathy) Esch of Elkton, and Bill of Pigeon; seven grandchildren: Gina (Mike) Heilig, Chad (Sharon) Esch, Jeremy Esch, Holly (Marc) Smith, Matt (Lisa) Esch, Julie Esch and Erik Esch; 10 great-grandchildren: Nathan, Ryan, Morgan, Conner, Nicholas, Carter, Chaston, Justin, Lauren and Tori; two sisters: Reatha (Frank) Lawrence of Sebewaing, and Doris (Archie) Dickinson of Harbor Beach; four sisters-in-law: Ruby Kivel of Harbor Beach, Pat (Jack) Bruce of Elkton, Dody (Lloyd) Eicher, of Littleton, CO., and Marilyn (Jack) Ludwig of Peoria, AZ; one brother-in-law: Dwight (Ofie) Esch of Valley Center, CA; two special friends: Ron Kimm of Grosse Pointe and Denise DeLong of Kingston; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Preceding her in death with three brothers: Orville, Oscar and Bill Kivel; two sisters: Helene Mendel and Janet Kivel; three nephews: Jack Bursick, Larry Kivel and Dan Geiger; one niece: Donna Rideout.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday, September 7 at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and at the church after 10 AM Thursday.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Thursday, September 8 at the Community Wesleyan Church, Elkton. Rev Daniel Stone, pastor and Rev. DeWeerd Smith will officiate with burial in the Grand Lawn Cemetery, Pigeon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggestions donations to the Community Wesleyan Church or the Huron County Medical Care Facility Resident Activity Fund.