Elise A. Habing, 78 of Effingham, passed away at 6:27 a.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Heartland Christian Village in Neoga.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday morning at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities or to the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left at www.bauerfh.com.

Elise was born on August 5, 1937, in Effingham, the daughter of Clete and Isabel (Wessel) Merz. She married Clete Habing. Elise loved her profession teaching at Sacred Heart Grade School. As a teacher, she wanted the children to know how to be loved, how to always smile, how to have fun and that God loves them.  She enjoyed teaching English, math and art. Elise also enjoyed the arts, singing, reading, writing children's plays and poetry,  religious discussions, and photography.

Elise is survived by her three sons, Chuck (Donna) of Jacksonville, FL, Ted of Tustin, CA, and Doug (Hyunah) of San Diego, CA; brother, Henry (Diane) Merz of Effingham; sister, Annette (Dick) Haney of Salem; and five grandchildren Craig, Brian, Dory, Bodie, and Lukas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Sister Jacqueline Marie Merz.