Submitted by: Dan Rich

Wava Maxine Eslinger

July 19, 1913 - Aug. 15, 2008

South Bend Tribune 8/18/2008
MISHAWAKA - Wava Maxine (Jones) Eslinger, 95, passed away in the Saint Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, on August 15, 2008. Wava was born on July 19, 1913, to Clyde S. and Bessie L. (Miller) Jones in a log cabin near Pierceton, IN. The family eventually moved to Mishawaka where she lived until her death. On September 5, 1936, she married the late Wesley W. Eslinger. They had one daughter, Judith W. (Gerald "Red") Kaufman, who preceded her in death in February 2001. Wava was also preceded in death by her parents, and by a sister, Ruth Ann Jones, who died in 2001. She is survived by her sister, Ilean (Loren) Schultz of Plymouth, IN; a grandson, Jerry Kaufman, Bremen, IN; a great-granddaughter, Tara Kaufman, Bremen, IN; a niece, Karen (John) Keleher, Granger, IN; and two nephews, Dennis (Roberta) Schultz, Plymouth, IN, and Michael (Sheila) Schultz of Maryville, TN. Wava was employed by Bethel College, Mishawaka, for many years. She was a member of the College Park United Missionary Church, Mishawaka. She loved her friends and her church, but most of all she was a faithful servant of God, readily passing out Bible tracts to all who crossed her path.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, IN, where funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. Pastor Jim Bayer will officiate the funeral services. She will be buried at Salem Cemetery in Wilmot, IN, only a short distance from her birthplace. Graveside service at Salem Cemetery will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.