Merle Eckhart's Obituary
Merle A. Eckhart, age 77, of Amherst, OH and formerly of Toledo and Van Wert Areas, passed away of cancer on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at his home while under the care of his two children, his friend, and New Life Hospice.
He was born January 12, 1934 in Toledo to the late Charles and Marquerite (nee Friess) Eckhart. He has resided in Amherst, Ohio for the past 2 years.
He served his country in the US Marines during the Korean War with the military police.
Merle was a lifetime Union Member of Local 18 – Operating Engineers and a dairy farmer in Willshire, Ohio.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards. He was a former Golden Gloves boxer and taught the Golden Gloves in Toledo for awhile.
He is survived by his former wife of 33 years, Betty Eckhart; his son, Charles Eckhart, his daughter, Tammy Eckhart, all of Rockford, OH, and his daughter, Kim; his friend, Brenda Sue Taylor, of Amherst; his step-son, Robert Smith, of Oak Harbor, OH; his step-daughter, Kris Scher (nee Oehlers), of Elkhart , IN; 2 grandchildren, Michael and Kelsey Eckhart of Rockford, OH; and his sisters, Ruth Jeko and Joanie Foster, both of Toledo and his brother, Wayne Eckhart, of Las Vegas, NV.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-son, Mike Oehlers; his step-daughter, Virginia Smith, his brother, Ivan "Red" Eckhart and sisters, Doris Cole and Lois Heffelbower.
The family invites friends to attend a memorial service gathering on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 2- 9 p.m. at VFW Hall Post # 9963, 109 North Main St., Walbridge, OH. Please bring a dish to share and it will be a cash bar only (no outside beverages allowed).
Contributions, if desired, may be made to American Heart Association, 1689 E. 115th St, Cleveland, OH 44106 or to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
The Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst, handled the arrangements.
Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.dovinreberjones.com.
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