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Sunday's Obituary: J. Howard Eckman

J. Howard Eckman, 62, of Middletown, passed away on October 1, 2011 at the Community General Osteopathic Hospital. He was the husband of 34 years of Phyllis A. Drake Eckman. Born in West Grove, PA, he was the son of the late Ross E. and Stella Miller Eckman.

Howard had worked at Estes Freight Lines as a truck driver and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Royalton, Middletown Moose Lodge, #410 and the Teamsters Local 776. Howard was an avid motorcyclist, enjoyed working on cars and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, Teri Over of Middletown, Veronica Gipe (Dan) of Oberlin, Gregg Eckman of Mount Joy and Howard Jay Eckman (Nicole) of Hummelstown; his brother, Ross Eckman (Pam) and his sister, Kathryn Pierce, both of Peach Bottom; his grandchildren, Ryan Lawson (Whitney) and Audree Colvin, both of Harrisburg, Ashley Keane (David) of Colonial Park, Danny Gipe of Middletown, and Alyssa and Ava Eckman, both of Hummelstown; his great-grandchildren, David, Alexis, Mikaela, Danny, Cliodhna and Haydyn. He was preceded in death by his son, Tracy Lawson.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Howard's Life Celebration from the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 500 Penn St., Royalton, PA on Thursday at 11am, with the Rev. Richard Creamer officiating. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday at Coble-Reber Funeral Home, 208 N. Union St., Middletown from 7-9pm and again on Thursday at his church from 10am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his church at the address listed above or to Pinnacle Health Hospice, 2645 North 3rd St., Suite 300, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2037.


NOTE:
Obituary originally published in the Lancaster Intelligencer

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