Elsie M. Schonegge, age 86 of Batesville, Indiana, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Morning Breeze Retirement Community and Healthcare Center in Greensburg, Indiana. Born August 29, 1937, in Stearns, Kentucky, she is the daughter of Dave and Jane (Nee: Gregory) Summers. Elsie and Jim were married July 7th, 1973, at the Smyrna Baptist Church in New Trenton, Indiana and he preceded her in death on June 5, 1999.
Elsie was a machine operator at the Batesville Casket Company for 35 years, before retiring in 2009. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, Gold Wing Road Riders, and the Steel Workers Union #525 of Batesville.
Elsie first and foremost loved all her family and would do anything for anyone to help and kept in constant touch with everyone. She made many friends during her time at Batesville Casket and through her motorcycle group. She loved to ride her Honda and ride on big group poker runs. She was always taking charge of the raffles. She loved animals and would rescue any wild animal she would come across such as birds, squirrels and even a raccoon. Elsie enjoyed her time with the red hats ladies too. She never knew a stranger, and everyone was always considered a part of the family and welcomed at any time. She was an amazing cook and would always cook for an army. Her laughter was contagious, and she truly enjoyed life to its fullest.
She is survived by her daughter Kathy Luke; grandchildren Sonja (Ray) Nowatzke, David (Lynn) Luke Jr., and Andrea (Matt) Damon; great grandchildren Damon, Charissa, Kaylee, Brooklyn, Desmond, Tatum, and Layla, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters Lelia Jett, Gladys Lynam and Minnie Garland; brothers Dester, Leslie, Lawrence, and Estel Summers.
In accordance with Elsie’s wishes, cremation was chosen by the family. Services will be held on Friday, July 5th, at 2:00 p.m., at the Local 525U-05 Union Hall, 320 W Pearl Street, Suite B, in Batesville. The burial will be in the Lower Hickory Grove Cemetery in Revelo, Kentucky on a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. For online condolences go to www.weigelfh.com.