Cyrilla A. “Toots” Essenpreis, nee Eilering, 83, of Breese, died Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at her residence. 

Mrs. Essenpreis was born November 28, 1927 in Damiansville to Martin and Dora (Johnson) Eilering; they preceded her in death. 

She married Eugene H. Essenpreis on May 18, 1943 in Kirkwood, MO; he preceded her in death on July 27, 1993. 

Also preceded in death by a son, Eugene M. Essenpreis; a son-in-law, Frank Richter; sisters, Evie Pokorny and Caroline Eilering; brothers, Arnold Eilering and Arthur Eilering; a sister-in-law, Leora Poettker; and brothers-in-law, Melvin Essenpreis, Joseph Trame, Dick Cortese, and Paul Poettker. 

Surviving are her children, Darlene (Norman) Musur of St. Charles, IL,  Marilyn (Mike) Thole of Breese, Rene (Warren) Richter of Lebanon, Connie (Melvin) Yardley of Carlyle, Eddie (Shelly) Essenpreis of Lebanon, Stan (Mary) Essenpreis of St. Rose, and Gene Essenpreis of Breese; 16 Grandchildren and 9 Great-Grandchildren; sisters, Martha Essenpreis of Breese, Dorothy Trame of Mattoon, Lorene (Jerry) Huelskamp of Breese, and Emily Cortese of Waterbury, CT; and a brother-in-law, Ray Pokorny of Maine. 

Toots retired after 27 years from Basler Electric and was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese. 

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Chuck Tuttle and Deacon Bob Lippert officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Dominic~St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 8:00-9:45 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. 

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, American Cancer Society, or to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.