Front, Eleanor C. Estep born in Wheeling, WV, on March 29, 1925, daughter of the late Clement W. and Emma M. Frohnapfel Estep died Wednesday, October 8, 2008, in St. Louis, MO.
In addition to her parents Eleanor was preceded in death by two brothers, Julian and Thomas Estep, two sisters, Mary V. Ginny Estep and Rita Nuzum.
She is survived by her husband Joseph R. Front; six children, daughter Eulalia M. Lale Virostek and husband Joseph and their children Margaret, Laura, A.J. and Katie of Pittsburgh, PA; daughter Anne P. Focht and husband Larry and their children Emily and Abbey of Columbus, OH; a son Joseph J. Front and wife Katrina and their daughter Ella of Asheville, NC; a daughter Mary E. Betsy Babb and her husband Brian and their children Molly and William of Cincinnati, OH; a daughter Eileen M. Schomburger and her husband Jeff and their children Isabel and Keenan of Fayetteville, AR; a son Vincent P. Front and his wife Rev. Victoria of Johnstown, OH; a brother Robert L. Estep of Vestal, NY; one sister, Sr. Eulalia Estep, CSJ, of Wheeling; her 11 Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was a very active member of St. Vincent DePaul Parish; served as President of the Christian Mothers Organization; the Pastoral Council and the Hospital Follow-up Committee; she was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Auxiliary.
In 1995 she chaired the St. Vincent DePaul Parish Centennial Celebration, nearly 1, 000 parishioners attended at no cost to the parish or the attendees. Eleanor was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy and retired from Columbia Gas.
Eleanor dearly loved her grandchildren and took great delight in sharing their activities as much as possible. She instilled in her children and grandchildren her faith in Christ, the value of honesty and the joy of doing for others.
Her humility and quiet strength are great examples for the entire family.
Friends received 7-9 p.m. Saturday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling.
Funeral Liturgy and Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2008 in St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Wheeling, with Rev. H. Joseph Wilhelm S.M. and Rev. Bill Seli S.M. as concelebrants.
Interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund or to the St.Vincent DePaul Parish Center.
Offer condolences online at altmeyer.com
Although it has been many years since we have seen each other at St. Vincents, I wanted to express my sympathy to you and your family on your loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful lady that made a great impression on me as a child and I hope your memories help you get through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Betsy, Brian, Molly and William,
We are very sorry to hear of your Mom’s and Grandma’s passing. We all know she is in God’s hands and watching over you all. And we know there are many good memories of her. You all have our deepest sympathy.
Love,
Elwin, Pegi, Jason, Brett and Matt
Dear Eileen and Family,
I feel as if I knew your Mom, although we never met in person. You, Eileen spread her kindness and love, as you spoke of her. My heart goes out to you.
With love,
Denise Fountain
Dear Joe & Family Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. She was such a caring & wonderful person. We shall all miss her.We know that she will became a beautiful flower in Gods heavenly garden. Love Shirley, Bert, Martha
Dear Lale, Anne, Sister Lale, and All,
I read of the passing of Mrs. Front when I received my copy of the WJU Alumni Chronicle. My prayers go out to you and the rest of your family.
I will always remember her welcoming me into your home, always treating me as one of the family, even after she got to know me and know who I hung around with.
My father also passed in June 2008, so I know how difficult a time this is. 2008 will bond us with this good memory.
Again, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sorry that I did not know sooner.
Dear Mom,
I have some things that IâÄôve been wanting to say. . .
I want to tell you how much I miss you already. This is hard and I know itâÄôs going to be harder, but thank you for preparing us for this. For showing us the right way to live and for teaching us right from wrong. You taught us to stand up for ourselves, but always stood behind us. You taught us compassion and strength, joy and sorrow. You taught us how to be both proud and humble at once. When to be serious and when to laugh. In short, You showed us how to live our lives the right way.
I also wanted to say that IâÄôm sorry for any trouble I caused you. Had I not been so young, foolish and bullheaded, things would have been different. I see that now. You know that eventually, even I absorbed all the lessons that you taught and I learned to follow the examples that you set.
Thank you, Mom for supporting me on my journey. Even though you thought it was a crazy idea and you didnâÄôt understand it at first, you were the first person to get behind me. You and Dad were always there when I called home and you offered support when I needed it. Thanks for understanding that it was something that I needed to do.
Thank you for all the little things you did for us all, for setting the table and making breakfast for us, early every morning before school, no matter how tired you were or how you felt. Especially french toast! Thanks for all the times you rode us to practice or school or dances or wherever we needed to go. We always came first. Thanks for always making sure our clothes were clean and neat and that we always had a hot meal. Thanks especially for your pot roast and spaghetti. Oh and thanks for the Party Mix. You always had extra hidden away for me!
Thank you finally, for teaching me my faith. It is the most cherished gift and the one that I promise to pass on to my family.
I promise to continue living in a way that you and Dad will be proud of.
I know we will talk soon and often. Please watch over us all.
Always your loving and adoring son,
JJ.
Dear Mr. Front and your children:
It has been many years since I grew up on Courtland Avenue but I will always remember the Front family. Many children Betsy and I were close, a pool, a large and really neat house, and an especially kind housewife! Our’s was a wonderful street to live on, with lots of kids and very nice families. I think of all the neighbors every time I visit my parents. I pray for comfort for your entire family as you learn to continue life without Mrs. Front.
God Bless all of you.
Eileen:
I recently read with much sadness of the passing of your Mother. I am extending my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I am sure your Mother was a special person, as I believe you are, and only a Mother’s love can shape such a sweet and loving person as you are. As someone who lost their Mother at a young age, I can tell you that it will get easier, as time heals all wounds, and the best way to honor your Mother is to instill in your children the many qualities of character, grace, humility, and love that your Mother showed to you and your family everday. Again, my sincerest wish for you to find comfort and peace in this tough time, and know I will thinking of you with only the best of wishes for you and your immediate and extended families.
Having grown up with the Front family, I know what a wonderful woman Mrs. Front was. She raised a beautiful family who loved her dearly. I am so sorry for your loss. May God’s loving arms bring you comfort in this time of sorrow.
Jay,
My sympathies on the loss of your Mother. I’m sure she was a great woman, lived a rich life and left an enduring legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family .
Take care,
Paul “Mule” Mueller
Jay,
Although itâÄôs been many years, it all seems like yesterday. I just heard about your loss today, and wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. HereâÄôs to great childhood memories and even greater parents with lots of patience, love and understanding.
Jay, Vince and Girls~I was very sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. I have wonderful memories of her growing up — of being such a strong, kind woman. We are out of town and unable to attend the services; however, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers and may you and your family find peace knowing you had such a great mother.
Joe & Family,
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Both of you were very kind to our family during our 12 years in Wheeling. May Eleanor happily join all God’s holy ones as she finds peace in her eternal home with God!
Bryan, Linda, Andrew, Monica, & Maria – The Reising Family
Joe and Family , this is the son of Rosalie Young offering my prayers from over seas in Kuwait.
Eleanor is a wonderful lady who will be sadly missed. She was a saint in my Mothers book and a true friend.
May God bless all of you and I am sure my Mother is going to miss her good friend Eleanor. .
Joe you take care and may God Bless.
Joe feel free to visit my Mother when you need someone to talk to she always enjoyed yours and Eleanor’s dinners out @ Ernie’s. company.
Joe Young
Joe,
You have my sincere sympathy. I’ve known Eleanor for decades and although I haven’t seen her for years I can remember her as always warm and friendly and having a big smile.
Fred Horne
Joe, I am so sorry about your mom’s passing. I hope your memories are comfort to you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike and I would like to extend our sympathy in your time of loss. She was one Great Lady and wonderful person. I will never forget the first time I met your family. A new house on the block was being built. There was just the hole for the foundation and your Dad and Mom were holding the twins. The kids were all around and your Dad said, “we are the Front’s and this is going to be our new home.” The rest is all history. All the good times we have shared. Memories are wonderful and I will never forget that she was one of the great Moms of the neighborhood. Take care and you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Cathy
Mr. Front & Family:
I wanted to offer my deepest condolences for your loss. Mrs. Front was a very wonderful woman, and she will be missed by all who knew her. I will be praying for all of you.
Love and God Bless,
Stephanie Welsh
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your children.
Sincerely,
Nancy E. Roth – Dusci
To the Front family,
We are so saddened for your loss. May your mom/wife begin her work in heaven. We know you will all miss her deeply. Keep her in your heart and remember all the wonderful memories throughout your lives. What a wonderful family you have and we are so blessed to have Betsy in our family too. She has been a godsend with dad and like a sister to me too. God bless you all. love, Brenna, Fred and Connor
Vince, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.