Julie Kay Esper

Julie Kay Esper, the light of our lives, died unexpectedly May 25, 2022. She was born March 4, 1973 in Toledo, OH.  Julie lived in Bertram, TX, a lovely small town in the Texas Hill Country. She moved there in 2004. She had wonderful friends and neighbors, especially Ronnie and Jodi who were her TX mom and dad. She worked at Meridell Achievement Center as the school registrar. It is a very caring community where she was greatly loved by the school staff and students. They will miss her coming in every holiday dressed as a leprechaun, a penguin, Limu the emu, and a Wendy’s happy meal – Julie being the Coke.

Julie was devoted to her dogs Winnie and Annie (deceased) and littermates, Molly and McGee, and rescue-dog, Miss Beasley. She gave unconditional love and exceptional care to her beloved puppies. Julie had so much fun as a child: trick-or-treating with her dog, Rags, in matching costumes; swimming and getting into mischief with her cousin, Aaron, at the cottage. She was very special to her neighbors, Butch and Peanut.

Julie attended Central Catholic High School, Class of 1991. She loved school and enjoyed being a football trainer. We often laughed at her antics when she was teacher’s pet in Sr. Gemma’s class and ruled over the “lazy lumps” as Sister called them.

Julie and I also had many adventures while driving back and forth to Texas. We visited San Antonio, Waco Mammoth Park, Galveston, the huge Wimberley flea market and Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield, IL. Julie loved her sister, Edie and brothers, Eric and David. She looked forward to coming home every summer and Christmas to spend time with family. Despite her severe lung disease, she managed to keep her house, care for her dogs and work full time. Julie was an amazing person, much loved by all who knew her.

Julie is survived by her mother, Kathleen Esper; sister, Edie and brothers, Eric and David; aunts and uncles: Steve and Nancy Esper, Rita and George Abi-Zeid, Mary Ellen and Tim Frontine, Paul and Rory Glover; cousins: Tammy Collins Esper, Aaron, Lorri, and Johnny Esper, Cristina, Alan and Liza Abi-Zeid, Jackie Young, Cheryl, Bob and Justin Glover, Timmy and Jason Frontine; niece, Elizabeth Esper; and special friend, Tammy Toth Fair. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Esper; grandparents, Gabe and Ruth Esper, Ray and Rita (Glover) Etzel; and uncles, Jamie, Eddie, John, Larry and Marty Esper.

Visitation will be Friday, June 3 from 3-7 p.m. at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd. Funeral services will begin Saturday at 10:15 a.m. in the funeral home and continue with the Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Temperance, MI at 11 a.m.  Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery.

The family requests that those attending visitation and services wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines.

Memorial donations may be given to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a local pet rescue organization, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared at www.sujkowski.com.