By Caroline Rosacker
Jerome "Matt" Esser began his life in Savannah, Ill. on Dec. 29, 80 years ago. Esser and his late wife, Connie, have one son, Terry (Rachel) Esser, and one grandchild, Malachi, all of Waterloo.
"My mother and aunts always told me I was born in a chicken coop," Esser began with a laugh.