Submitted by: Dan Rich

Catherine E. Eslinger

Sept. 3, 1914 - Nov. 27, 2002

South Bend Tribune 11/30/2002

Catherine E. DeSimone Eslinger, 88, entered into eternal rest at Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend, on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002.

Mrs. Eslinger was born on Sept. 3, 1914, in Titusville, Pa., to the late Samuel and Elizabeth Perri. She moved with her family to Mishawaka in 1925.

On Oct. 30, 1936, she married Batista DeSimone who passed away in 1975. On Nov. 16, 1985, she married Byron (Barney) Eslinger who died in 1997.

Her sister, Minnie Sencrie and two brothers, Frank and Dominic Perri also preceded her in death.

Catherine is survived by three sons, Joseph (Marilyn) DeSimone of Mishawaka, Sam (Mona) DeSimone of Elkhart, and John (Diane) DeSimone of Argyle, Texas; two stepdaughters, Karen (Phil) Shank of Fort Wayne and Jean Weldy of Goshen; four grandchildren, Gregory DeSimone of Cincinnati, Ohio, Michele (Dominic) Ball and April (Todd) Pontius, both of Mishawaka, and Dawn (Kent) Craig of South Riding, Va.; seven step grandchildren, Larry (Becky) Weldy of Iowa, Terry (Pat) Weldy and Lori (Terry) Miller of Goshen, Greg (Lisa) Fike of Medina, Ohio, Jeff (Pam) Fike of Fort Wayne, Tom (Rose) Eslinger of South Bend, and Kim Cusick of Riverside, ill.; five great grandchildren, Anthony and Alexis Ball and Austin Pontius of Mishawaka, Dylan and Brittany Craig of South Riding; Va.; 14 step great-grandchildren and 3 step great-great-grandchildren.

Survivors also include a brother, Pat (Rose) Perri of Henderson, Nev.; four sisters, Mary Marando and Ann Zirille of Mishawaka, Grace Baldoni of Aurora, Colo., and Connie Bilancio of South Bend; and a sister-in-law, Josephine Perri of Mishawaka.

Catherine was a long time member of St. Monica Church in Mishawaka. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2 at St. Monica Church with Fr. James Stoyle officiating.

Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.