Ginette R (Naud) Esselburn

Pleasant Lake – Ginette R Esselburn, 91, passed away Tuesday October 28, 2025 at Parkview DeKalb Hospital in Auburn.

She was born October 24, 1934 in Barzan France to Gervais and Lucienne (Brillouet) Naud.

Her childhood was a very tumultuous time in France from 1939 through 1945 during WWII. Her family, in which she was one of 11 children, had to make many tough decisions and hardships due to the Nazi occupation. When the Allies liberated France she met, fell in love with and married DeWayne Esselburn. They were married February 23, 1957 in Rochefort, France and he passed away February 27, 2024.

Ginette was a very cheerful, playful individual, she didn’t know a stranger. She loved to dance and work in her garden. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed hosting family dinners for over 40 years.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda Fraley of Hamilton; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Shirley Esselburn of Angola; daughter-in-law, Pat Esselburn of Paluski, TN;16 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Jeannie Naud of Paris, France, Jacqueline Lagay of Barzan, France and Pierrette Guerin of Colombiers, France; 3 sisters-in-law, Sue Sattison of Garrett, Irene Naud of Barzan, France and Nicole Naud of Merchers, France; exchange student daughters, Klao of Phuket, Thailand, Connie of Limoges, France and Ana of Germany.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Phillipe Esselburn, great granddaughter, Ally Cash, 2 sisters and 5 brothers.

Services will be 3 PM Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1098 CR 39, Waterloo, IN 46793 with burial to follow the Mass in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Waterloo. Calling is 3 to 7 PM Tuesday at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 875 South Wayne Street, Waterloo. IN with a rosary to be recited at the end of the visitation at 7 PM. Additional calling is one hour prior to the Mass Wednesday from 2 to 3 PM at the church. Memorials can be given in memory of Ginette to the church. To send condolences to the family visit www.fellerandclark.com.

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