Emma Catherine Hershberger Loughrige, 94 of Springfield, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 in the Gardens Assisted Living facility in Springfield where she received loving, compassionate care.  She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and a member of Schweitzer United Methodist Church for over 50 years.  Catherine was a devoted wife and mother who respected all she met.  Catherine was born on June 25, 1924 in historic Bedford, Pennsylvania to Harold and Maud O'Shea Hershberger.  History and the peace of the mountains and the nearby Jersey shore led to a love of reading, study and quiet reflection.  While Catherine worked for the War Department during World War II and for the Rolla, Missouri public school system for a very short time, she devoted her life to raising and caring for her family and her church.   Catherine is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Rayburn Dewey Loughrige, her parents, an infant son, David Rayburn Loughrige and a brother Alan H. Hershberger.

Catherine is survived by son Craig Loughrige and wife Sue, daughter Lisa Solomon and husband John; six grandchildren Brian Loughrige and wife Valerie, Ryan Solomon, Allison Solomon and partner Jeremy Pruitt, Douglas Chowning and wife Rosa, Stuart Coutchie and wife Ilana, David Coutchie and wife Lori; seven great-grandchildren; Jackson and Tyler Loughrige; Douglas Chowning; Evan, Adam, Hanna and Leah Coutchie; and sister-in law Dorisetta Zink.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. followed by funeral services in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m.  Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Library Foundation, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65810 or Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, 949 East Primrose, Springfield, Missouri 65807.