Evelyn Koertge, 96, of Mulberry Grove, died on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Fayette County Hospital and Long Term Care in Vandalia.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 116 N. Church Street, Mulberry Grove. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Bob Chase and the Rev. Jeff Jahn co-officiating. Burial will be held at Mulberry Grove Cemetery. Assalley-Young Funeral Home in Greenville is assisting the family.
Mrs. Koertge was born July 10, 1925, in Mt. Erie, to Charles and Emma Clarice (Richards) Johnston. She married Charles Koertge on Sept. 5, 1943, in Olney, and he preceded her in death in November 1985.
After graduating from Noble High School, she attended one year of business college in Centralia. She first worked as a unit secretary for Mulberry Grove Community Unit School District #1, then at Bradford National Bank in Greenville, where she retired after 27 years.
As a young child, Mrs. Koertge learned to play the piano. At ten years old, she would accompany her father, who was a United Methodist circuit preacher, to the various churches and would provide the music for the services.
For almost 90 years, she has been musically inclined playing the piano, the organ and even the accordion. In her lifetime, she played at hundreds of weddings, funerals and other events.
Mrs. Koertge was a member of the United Methodist Church in Mulberry Grove, where she faithfully attended and played the organ for the church, as well as participated in most church activities. She was strong in her faith, her church and her family. She was awarded a diaconal position via the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Although playing the piano and organ gave her great pleasure, she enjoyed knitting, traveling and especially loved having breakfast and luncheons with her friends.
Most who knew Mrs. Koertge would say she was very devout, truthful, caring, strong in her beliefs and genuine all the way around. She loved her family dearly and took pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons, David (Vickie) Koertge of Mulberry Grove, Don (Brenda) Koertge of Miramar Beach, FL, and Richard (Barbara) Koertge of Springfield; grandchildren, Devin (Sherri) Koertge of Mulberry Grove, Eric (Samantha) Koertge of South Elgin, Dishell (Dwayne) Dowdy of Union City, TN, Erin (Jon) Davis of Springfield, Jason (Ashley) Koertge of Panama City Beach, FL, and Christopher (Bri) Koertge of Mesa, AZ; and 16 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Koertge was preceded in death by her daughter, Rosalyn Powers; and son-in-law, Bill Powers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church, 116 N. Church St., Mulberry Grove, IL 62262 and Mulberry Grove Cemetery, Village of Mulberry Grove, P.O. Box 8, Mulberry Grove, IL 62262. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
