Emma Christine Schafer Essenburgh, 100 of Allegan, died Wednesday, July 13, at the ACMCC.
Born April 17, 1922, on the family farm in Hopkins, she was the daughter of Henry and Elfrieda (Puchel) Schafer. She worked at Michigan Canners in Fennville, Allegan Casket, Cresent Pipe and retired from General Electric in Holland after many years of service.
She belonged to St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she loved to sing in the choir. She loved to travel, play cards, go bowling, play bingo and spend time with her family.
She is survived by her children, Barbara Adams, Allen Belden, Donna (Ken) Unger and Norm Belden. Emma loved spending time with her grandchildren, Kimberly (Randy) Caines, Teresa (Floyd) Branson, Danielle (Don) Plichta, Bryan (Debbie) Belden, Angela (Dave) Smith and Allen Jr. (Misty) Belden. She also had 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews; and her sister-in-law, Phyllis (Jim) Thomas.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Harold; son-in-law, Ned Adams; daughter-in-law, Janice Belden; siblings, Ruth (Paul) Hankey, Anna (Paul) Thompson, Martin (Dorothy) Schafer, Herman (Ila) Schafer, Hilda (Richard) Redder, Emanuel (Erma) Schafer, Otto Schafer, Leonard Schafer, Sophia Hileski, Edith Schafer, Flora Frampton, Milton (Joyce) Schafer; her twin sister, Erma (LaVern) Timmerman (Emma was the 14th); sister-in-law, Mary Lou Brennan; and brother-in-law, Jerry Belden.
The family will meet with friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 18. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, at St. John’s Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Poplar Hill Cemetery, Monterey Township.
Memorial donations may be made in Emma’s name to St. John Lutheran Church, 1764 34th Street, Allegan, MI 49010.
