Ethel M. Eckert's Obituary
Ethel Marie Eckert died March 21, 2017, at home in Rockford, Illinois, at age 85. She was born on a farm in Newaygo County on July 6, 1931, the daughter of Theodore and Lillie (Stark) Johnson. Ethel attended a one-room school house through 8th grade and graduated from Howard City High School as the valedictorian of the class of 1948. She worked in a factory for three years, saving her money for nursing school. She graduated from the Hackley Hospital School of Nursing in 1954 and worked as a pediatric RN at Hackley and Muskegon General Hospitals. On October 2, 1954, she married Ronald Eckert and they raised their family in Muskegon. Ethel was an active and faithful member of the Phillips Free Methodist Church in Muskegon and then the Muskegon First Free Methodist Church where she served in many capacities over many years. In 2008 Ethel moved to Rockford, Illinois, to live with her son and daughter-in-law. Ethel was known for her steadfast faith, her love for family, her wide-ranging interests and voracious reading. Ethel is survived by her children: Bonnie (Tom) Mooney of Holland, Bruce (Amy) Eckert of Holland and Brent (Ann) Eckert of Rockford, Illinois. She left behind ten grandchildren: Laura (John) Graftema, Lisa (David) Wilson, Aaryn (James) Bierly, Sarah (Ryan) Phillips, Michael (Karen) Kerr, Stephen (Kristyn) Kerr, Dan Hollinshead, Joleen (Brandon) Burns, Loretta Blackmore, and Amber Blackmore; 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Theodore Johnson; brothers and sisters-in-law: Lucille Eckert, Gale Eckert, Lawrence Eckert, June and Lyle Kimball, John and Alice Eckert, Lloyd and Carol Eckert; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ronald; her parents; brothers: Carl and Victor; and great-grandson, Ian Kerr. SERVICES will be Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 3:00 PM, led by Pastor Carlos Ramos at the Muskegon First Free Methodist Church, 1400 E. Hile Rd., Muskegon. VISITATION with her family will be Saturday, March 25, from 5-7 PM at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., (231) 726-5210. Burial will be at North Ensley Cemetery. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Muskegon First Free Methodist church. The family thanks Hospice Care of America for their caring service during the last year. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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