"Jimmie Ann" Virginia Esper

"Jimmie Ann" Virginia Esper, 81, a life long resident of Springfield, died at 6:20 a.m. on January 10, 2008 at Memorial Medical Center. Jimmie was born on May 15, 1926 in Springfield, the daughter of Leo and Mary England Troy. She married Dr. Leonard W. Esper, Jr., on November 27, 1947, at Blessed Sacrament Church; he preceded her in death in 2001. She was a graduate of Springfield High School and Brown's Business College. She worked at the Department of Public Works until her marriage and later was a homemaker taking care of their children and home. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church serving on the Altar and Rosary Society. Jimmie was also a member of the St. Gerard Coterie Circle at St. Joseph's Home, a long-standing member of the Island Bay Yacht Club, the Ceramic Club of Springfield, and the Sangamon County Dental Auxiliary. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed boating on Lake Springfield, and playing tennis and golf. In her final years without her husband Leonard she moved to Oak Terrace Retirement Center (now known as Hickory Glen), where her many new friends added joy to her years. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Dr. Jody Esper in 2002, and one sister, Marilee Connell. She is survived by two sons: David (Cindy) Esper of Highland, Mike (Julie) Esper of Glenarm; two daughters: Linda (Dr. Robert Finch) Esper of Springfield, and Katie (Peter) Jelacic of Waukesha, WI; eleven grandchildren: Jennifer (Jeff) Witte, Joshua (Amanda) Esper, Michelle Hassebrock, Jason Hassebrock, Peter (Denzil Ford) Finch, Andrea (Joel Knutson) Finch, Ryan Esper, Jessica Esper, Mallory Esper, Joseph Jelacic, and Nicholas Jelacic; five great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law: Bill Connell of Lima, OH; one niece and one nephew and a special cousin, Betty Kelly of Fitchburg, WI. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Fr. Anthony Pilli celebrant. Private family burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Dr., Suite 403, Decatur, IL 62526; or Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery, 1011 N. 7th St., Springfield, IL 62702. The family of "Jimmie Ann" is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.