Eleanor A. Esch

Born Feb. 8, 1917 on a farm in E. Liberty, OH, she is a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Eisenhart Bernel. She resided in Akron, OH from 1917-1955 and was a 1936 graduate of East High School.She was employed in the advertisement office at Goodyear Tire Co., Akron, OH. In 1955 she moved to Buffalo and was employed by the J.A. Bernel Foam Co., Buffalo as the General Office Manager, until retirement in 1966. Eleanor continued in instruction for new employees and substitution for sick or vacationing employees until 1977.

Eleanor was a longtime member and served on the Deaconate Board, Mission Board and as Mission Treasurer for the Cassadaga Community Baptist Church, was the last, of the original founders, of the Cassadaga Food Pantry started in 1990 and participated as much as she still could. She was a Member, since 1989, and Past President of the Cassadaga Valley Kiwanis Club and in 1998 selected Kiwanian of the Year. For over 20 years a member of the Cassadaga Stockton Lily Dale Senior Citizens, serving as President for five years and in 1990 was Senior Citizen of the year. In 2007 she received the Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero Award” from the Community Foundation. Eleanor was known as the “puppet lady” and volunteered for the reading program at the Cassadaga and Sinclairville Elementary Schools. She enjoyed sewing and helping others.

Cassadaga Valley has lost a wonderful, loving friend.

Wife of 46 years to the late Warren C. Esch, who she married June 16, 1939 in Akron, OH and died April 1, 1985; sister of the late Emmett, William and J. Allen Bernel; Aunt of Carol Sue Baldwin, William Jr., David, Mark, Jeffrey, Elizabeth and the late Lynda Bernel; dear friend of over 25 years to Deborah (George) Schaus of Kennedy.

A Celebration of Life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

Memorials to the Cassadaga Food Bank, Cassadaga, NY 14718.

Arrangements by Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville.