Esther P. Range, nee Mueller, age 91, born April 15, 1918 in Dupo, Ill., to John and Elizabeth, nee Dannewitz, Mueller, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Faith Countryside in Highland, Ill.

Born the ninth of eleven children, Esther graduated grade school from Droit School District 191 in St. Clair County. As a young woman, she worked as a seamstress in downtown St. Louis. She met the love of her life, Paul, at a local dancehall, marrying on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1939- the beginning of a beautiful legacy. Together they raised their children on the farm near the bluffs of East Carondelet, then relocated to O'Fallon in 1953, where they continued to farm. Esther enjoyed dancing, quilting, bowling, travelling and sharing good times with her family and friends. They were active parishioners at St. Clare Catholic Church since 1953, and were instrumental in the building of Goelz Hall, which today serves as the school gymnasium and cafeteria. She was past President of St. Clare Altar Sodality and was a member of the Mother's Club. She volunteered for many years with St. Elizabeth's Hospital Auxiliary and was the Newman Student Center Auxiliary representative for St. Clare parish. Esther was a kind and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; her family and her faith were the most important things to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Range, who died January 5, 1981; siblings Harold, Richard, Edmund, and Ted Mueller, Gertrude Speichinger, Clara Neumann, Adeline Loyet, Louise Weilbacher, Hilda Goforth, and Frieda Mueller.

Mrs. Range is survived by her son Ron (Marge) Range of Troy, Ill., daughter Judy (Chuck) Gavin of O'Fallon, Ill., son Gary (Karen) Range of Highland, Ill., daughter Sharon (Gary) Swisher of Campbell Hill, Ill., and daughter Cindy (Greg) Reising of Collinsville, Ill., 13 grandchildren, Bob (Traci) Range, Renee (Tim) Brown, Tim (Becky) Range, Kathy (Mike) Otte, Kris (Scott) Fulford, Mike (Dawn) Gavin, Kim (Brian) Gibson, Bryan (Kara) Range, Michelle (Brett) Isaacs, Scott (Brandi) Swisher, US Army SSG Steven (Jacqulyn) Swisher, Matt (fiancee' Brittny Mitchell) Reising, and Laura Reising. She is also survived by 24 much-loved great-grandchildren and many dear sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Memorial Donations in honor of Mrs. Range are suggested to Newman Auxiliary at SIU-Carbondale, Hospice of Southern Illinois, a charity of one's choice, or in the form of masses and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Visitation: Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 7, 2010 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon.

Funeral: Procession will depart the funeral home at 9:45 a.m., Monday, February 8, 2010 for a Mass of Christian Burial to commence at 10:00 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, with Rev. Von Deeke presiding. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh.