George Ray Esslinger

George Ray Esslinger, 83, passed away Friday, July 26, 2019 at his home near Madison. He was born June 14, 1936 at the family home near Madison, the son  of Charles and Katheryn Wohlschlegel Esslinger.George attended Madison High School and graduated with the Class of 1954. It was during his childhood that a classmate caught his eye and his life would forever be changed. That classmate was Drusilla Piatt. As time went on he and Drusilla grew closer and they were forever joined in marriage on May 28, 1957 in the Madison United Methodist Church. George attended Kansas State University for a year before returning to Madison and embarking on a career in the local oil fields. After taking a job with Jackman and Jackman Drilling as a rough neck he worked his way up and eventually became a head driller. George also worked  the family farm south east of Madison never living more than two miles from his birthplace. George was active in the Madison and Greenwood County communities where he began serving as a Township Trustee in the late 1970’s until his death. Also during the 1970’s he helped organize the Madison Rural Fire Department. George with his neighbor and lifelong friend Dick Fankhauser started the Madison Pace Setters 4-H Club. He nurtured his love for animals by raising German Shepherds for over 30 years. On January 20, 2016  his beloved wife Drusilla passed away.  George  was never really the same after that and longed to be with her again.  He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Katherine Haworth; sisters, Dorothy, Roselee and Rosemary; brothers, Bill, Jim, Charles Lee, Don and a great-grandson, Jaxon Kennedy. George will live on in the hearts of his daughter, Lora Elizabeth Meirowsky of El Dorado; sons Jason Charles Esslinger of Newton and Mark Bryden Esslinger of Rose Hill; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  His life will be remembered at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday July 30, 2019 at the Madison United Methodist Church. Burial will follow services at Number 8 Cemetery in Madison. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at the VanArsdale Funeral Home in Madison. Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Educational Assistance Fund and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #488, Madison, Kansas 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.