Bess S, Emge, 77, of Fort Branch, Indiana, passed away Thursday, August 24th, 2006 at Deaconess Hospice in Evansville, IN.

She was born on July 31st, 1929 in Fort Branch, Indiana to the late George Henry and Emma (Gieselman) Smith.

Bess was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch, Indiana, where she was very active and belonged to the churches Altar Society. She was also a member of the Psi Iiota Xi Womens Sorority in Fort Branch. She loved to decorate and make flower arrangements.

Besides her parents she is also preceded in death by her husband Walter R. Emge who passed away on July 14th, 1999.

She is survived by her daughter Liz Whitledge of Evansville, IN, her son and daughter in-law, David and Debbie Emge of Wadesville, IN, 5 sisters and 1 brother, Clara Woehler of Haubstadt, IN, Verla Lutz of Haubstadt, IN, Dorothy Kramer of Fort Branch, In, Alice Silkey of Napersville, IL, Polly Weber of Fort Branch, IN, and Clarence Smith of Fort Branch, IN. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Brian and Lauren Whitledge and 2 step grandchildren, Allison Ashby and Brooke Hickrod. Bess’s grandchildren were the light of her life.

A mass of Christian burial will be conducted on Tuesday, August 29th, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch, IN, with burial in the church cemetery. Fathers Jim Sauer, Tony Ernst, and Gary Kiaser will be the celebrants.

Vistation will be on Monday from 2:00 P.M. until 8: P.M. August 28th, 2006 at the Stodghill Funeral Home on Hwy 168 West in Fort Branch, where the Rosary will be recited by the church parish at 7:30 P.M. on Monday evening at the funeral home.