Essie Marie Angelo

Essie M. (Rochefort) Angelo, age 74, of Three Oaks, died at home peacefully Saturday, July 24, 2021, with her family by her side.

Her life began September 12, 1946, in Manila, Arkansas, born to Hattie Branch and Nolan Mills. She had four children with Jerry Fisher and five stepchildren with Harlan Rochefort who passed away in 2003. 

Essie volunteered at the Food Pantry in Three Oaks and was an avid fan of River Valley Sports. She attended First Congregational Church in Three Oaks.  She retired as a supervisor in 1979 from Allied Signal in Stevensville, Michigan.  Essie enjoyed cooking biscuits and gravy, cherries delight and chicken and dumplings for her family.  Some of her favorite activities included attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, going to the beach, caring for animals, and being outside watching birds, in her later years. She will be remembered as a loving and caring person who welcomed everyone with open arms. Many people considered her a second mother.

Essie will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She is survived by three daughters, Ginger Casto of Three Oaks, Carrie Fisher of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Tracy Fisher of Lawrence; one son, David (Tammy) Fisher of Delton; five grandsons; two granddaughters; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Mills of Arizona, Debra (Chuck) Hover of Stevensville; seven brothers, Wayne (Fran) Mills of Arkansas, Gary (JoAnne) Mills of Texas, Ted (Pat) Mills of Benton Harbor, Glen (Karen) Mills of Texas, Johnny (Linda) Mills of Michigan, Terry (Brenda) Mills of Texas, Jan (Betty Jo) of Michigan; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harlan Rochefort; one sister, Murrel; two brothers, Jimmy and Doug; and her beloved four-legged companion, Gallagher.

Family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life Thursday, July 29, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the American Legion Randall Couchman Post 204, 204 West Linden Street, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128.

The family prefers contributions in memory of Essie be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan, 5400 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks.  Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

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