Phyllis L Eckert

Phyllis L. Eckert, age 86, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, December 20, 2011 in Hennis Care Center at Dover following a period of declining health.Born April 23, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Wells Royce and Marie (Rogers) Bliss.After graduating from high school, Phyllis continued her formal education at Mount Union College where she completed her bachelor’s degree. She then furthered her education at Ohio University where she obtained a Master of Arts degree.She spent the next 31 years educating students of New Philadelphia Schools, spending the majority of her teaching career at Central Elementary.Phyllis was very active in both the College Club, and the Women’s Club at First Presbyterian Church in New Philadelphia where she was a member the majority of her life.Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She greatly enjoyed traveling and camping with her family. Phyllis was fortunate enough to travel to nearly every state in the continental United States, the Canadian Provinces, and Mexico. She and her late husband, Calvin, also enjoyed camping as members of the Hi-Lo camping club.Phyllis leaves behind two sons, David Eckert (fiancée Georgia Sweaney) of New Philadelphia and Steve Eckert (wife, Kim) of Dover.Five grandchildren, Tony, Jon-Michael, Tatum, Kody, and Sami Eckert; a great-grandson, Cameron; and numerous cousins complete the family.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin A. Eckert, Jr. and her brother, Herbert Kehr.A funeral service celebrating Phyllis’ life will be led by The Rev. Mark Behrendt on Thursday, December 22, at 10:30 a.m in the chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. The family requests that memorial contributions in Phyllis’ name be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, Inc., 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, O. 44622.