Elizabeth (Beth) Lois Esch

Elizabeth (Beth) Lois Mathews Esch

June 19, 1951 - April 1, 2025

Elizabeth (Beth) Lois Mathews Esch, age 73, of Mio, Michigan, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch, Michigan, after a short battle with leukemia.
Beth was born in Sparta, Illinois to Ralph and Helen (Keys) Mathews on June 19, 1951. She was the youngest of three children and a girl, to her mother's delight. Beth grew up on a dairy farm outside Baldwin, Illinois, where she spent many days doing her favorite activity; going to the "crick" bottom and looking for rocks. From a young age, Beth had a love of rocks, especially looking for unique ones. After she was married, she continued to collect rocks (Bill would limit her to what she could carry in her two hands) and displayed them around the house.
Beth attended Sparta Community School and graduated from high school in the spring of 1969. In the fall, she attended Geneva College (her church college) in Beaver Falls, PA, where she graduated in 1973 with a Bachelors of Education. The summer after graduation, Beth and Mr. Don Harrington met at their church conference in Chattanooga, TN. Mr. Harrington had no openings at the Fairview School and Beth was not interested in going to Michigan. However, upon his arrival home, he learned that Mrs. Vera Yoder had retired. He called Beth and offered her a job, which she accepted.
On January 7, 1974, Beth met Bill Esch in the high school office at the school. It was love at first sight for her. They were married on November 23rd of that year. Beth went on to teach for 33 years at Fairview. The first eight years were spent in the 5th and 6th grade classroom, as well as teaching several classes of 1st and 2nd grade music and gym. She then transferred to Title I where she remained for the last 25 years, helping students K - 12th grade. She always thought of her students as if they were her own children and was proud to watch them as they grew to be wonderful adults.
Besides teaching, Beth helped with the family business, producing maple syrup in the spring until 1995, when the septic business got too busy for Bill to do both. Bill and Beth also enjoyed snowmobiling and motorcycle riding until Bill's vertigo caused them to stop those activities.
Bill and Beth were owners of Esch's Septic Service. After Beth retired in 2006 from teaching, she went full time into helping with the business. She ran a port-a-pot route, sent out bills and notices, and answered the constantly ringing phone. During Beth's teaching years, in the summer, she often accompanied Bill as he pumped tanks or cleaned port-a-pots. She became very knowledgeable about the business and was able to answer many of the questions callers would ask, thus saving Bill a lot of time as he didn't need to call them back later. She also sent guys to jobs as calls came in.
For sixteen years, Beth helped Bill when he was in charge of the Northern Michigan Relief Sale, sending the correspondence to the churches. For 30 years or more, Beth was the voice describing each quilt and wall hanging at the quilt auction, 2023 being her last one.
Beth was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church and enjoyed greeting everyone at the front door for many years. She also helped Bill with head usher duties as needed. She was confident in her relationship with Jesus and did not fear death.
Beth enjoyed crocheting, reading, doing word finds, and being outdoors, especially in the U.P. She crocheted high school graduation afghans for all her nieces and nephews as well as her great nieces and nephews. When the great-great nieces and nephews started coming, she made baby afghans for them. She loved to watch sports on TV as that gave her an opportunity to relax but still keep her hands busy. Beth was well known and loved for the plates of candy and goodies she generously gave to co-workers, doctors' office staff, friends and family at Christmas, and the Relief Sale bake sale. Beth documented her and Bill's life through pictures and details of each picture, amassing nearly 100 albums.
Beth believed God gave her the gift of communicating with people. She sent around 200 Christmas cards each year, as well as birthday, anniversary, and Valentine's Day cards, weekly e-mails and letters to family and friends.
Beth is survived by her husband Bill; her older brother, Carl (Sharon) Mathews; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-greats.  She was preceded in death by her parents: Ralph and Helen Mathews, older brother Jim Mathews, and great niece Jayden Mathews.
At Beth's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service is planned at the Fairview Mennonite Church on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Visitation with the family will be at the church from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, with the service at 1:00 PM. Interment of ashes will take place at a later time at Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, Michigan.
These arrangements were handled by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, Michigan.