Maxine Elinor Eichel

——————————————————————————–Maxine Elinor Walker Eichel, age 90, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully Monday afternoon, March 10, 2008, in New Dawn Health Care Center at Dover. Born at home, near Five Points in New Philadelphia on May 27, 1917, Maxine was a daughter of the late Seward Luther Walker and Anna Larelda Reneker Walker. Maxine graduated from Midvale High School in 1935, part of a class of just 24 students. Later in the same year, she married Howard Knauss Eichel, on November 10. The couple celebrated sixty-six years of marriage prior to his death in May, 2002. A homemaker for most of her life, Maxine was a loving mother, who found time to work with young children at the former Jack & Jill Children’s Clothing Shop of New Philadelphia. Mrs. Eichel was also a friendly, familiar face at the lunch counter of the former Kreisher Drug Store. Mrs. Eichel was also employed by the former Beaber’s Grocery Store and Graff’s Grocery, on the south side of New Philadelphia.Maxine was a longtime member of the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church at New Philadelphia, where she taught Sunday School for many years. Mrs. Eichel was very active on church boards and volunteered for numerous ministries of the church in her nine decades of serving the Lord. Mrs. Eichel was a member of the Order of the Eastern Starr Chapter # 222 at New Philadelphia where she was Past Worthy Matron. She was a member of the former New Philadelphia Homemakers Club, the former Towpath Garden Club, and for many years, served as an advisor for the Cloverleaf 4-H Club. Survivors include her daughter, Jean-Anne (Thomas) Baker of Tuscarawas, Ohio, and her son; Jim (Sonja) Eichel of New Philadelphia. Six grandchildren, Jim (Vicki) Eichel of Billings, Montana, Tammy Eichel of Nicholasville, Kentucky, Rene` (Kenny) Perkett of Roseville, California, Alma Lackey of New Philadelphia, Tommy (Heidi) Baker of Tuscarawas, and Benjamin Baker, also of Tuscarawas, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, completes the family. A sister, Kaye Marlene (Larry) Harmon of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and a step-brother, Bob (Judy) Carrick of Canton, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, complete the family. In addition to her parents and husband, Maxine is preceded in death by her son Jerry Eichel, her brother Glenwood W. Walker, her half-brother Clarence Sprowl, and half-sister, Emma Lou Lippencott. Friends are invited to call Friday, March 14, from 5-8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Sue Koenig will lead Mrs. Eichel’s funeral ceremony Saturday morning at 10:30 in the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church. Burial will follow in Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery. Following the committal service, a reception will be given in the church fellowship hall. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may be made to the Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church, 2200 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia OH 44663.