Barbara Sue Essig, 45, of Winona Lake, passed away at 2 p.m. Jan. 12, 2013, in her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 31, 1967, in Fort Wayne, to Joseph and Dorothy Bennett Westendorf. On Aug. 19, 1989, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, she married Eric Essig, who survives. Living most of her life in the Warsaw and Winona Lake areas, she was a 1985 graduate of Warsaw Community High School and was a teacher’s aide at Sacred Heart School for 10 years and also assisted at J-3/Making Waves Salon. She enjoyed gardening and rock picking. She was a life-long Tippecanoe Lake lover. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and enjoyed the children at Sacred Heart. She cherished family time and evening golf companionship with her husband. Also surviving are two sons, Evan Essig, Winona Lake, and Jared Essig, Winona Lake; her parents, Joe and Dorothy Westendorf, Leesburg; a brother, Doug (and spouse Bev) Westendorf, North Manchester; five sisters: Deb (and spouse Terry) Frank, Tennessee; Kim (and spouse Don) Trammel and Nancy Westendorf, all of Leesburg; JoAnn (and spouse Jeff) Brown, North Webster; and Michelle (and spouse Chris) Davis, Nappanee; and 17 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Lori Westendorf, and a brother, Joey Westendorf. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, officiated by Father Phil DeVolder of the church. Burial will be in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Pierceton. Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, with a rosary service at 7 p.m. ***** Memorials may be made to I.U. Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care, 200 High Park Ave., Goshen, IN 46526. Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
