Velma Esch

Velma Esch, age 93 of Fairview, Michigan, passed away at The Home at Wellspring Lutheran Services in Fairview, MI on Friday, November 6, 2015.
Velma was born in Pigeon, Michigan on April 25, 1922 to George and Lena (Keim) Swartzendruber.  She married Ira Esch on June 2, 1946 in Pigeon, MI.  Velma attended Goshen College and Central Michigan University.  She taught in a one-room school in Pigeon, and when the couple moved to Fairview, she taught at Fairview Schools for many years. Velma continued her education by completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from CMU in 1968. Velma was a substitute teacher also for many years and she continued her teaching career by Homeschooling her grandchildren.  She was a faithful member of the Fairview Mennonite Church.  It was through that faith that she and Ira were among the first organizers of The Family Bookshelf in Fairview, and of the Relief Sales, which she had attended yearly for 48 of the 49 years since its beginning. Velma enjoyed reading, and passed that love along to her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are her children:  Merrill (Benjie) Esch, Sally (John) Longacre, John (Linda) Esch, Leslie Esch, Mark Esch, and Marjorie Esch; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ira in 2010, her son Phillip, her grandson Addison, 2 sisters, and 3 brothers.
Visitation on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from 6-8 PM at the Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI; and again on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 10 AM until Funeral Services at 11 AM at the Fairview Mennonite Church, Fairview, MI with Pastor David Price officiating. Interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, MI.
Memorial donations may be made to the Fairview Mennonite Church Compassion Fund or to Hospice Advantage.
Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI.