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Sunday's Obituary: Chester M Eckman

Chester M. Eckman, 90, of Coatesville died Monday, October 18, 2010 at his home.

Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late Phares B. and Mary Higley Eckman and the husband of Patricia Woodson Eckman of Coatesville with whom he shared 33 years of marriage, and the husband of the late Jane A. Cockerill Eckman who died in 1974.

Chester was a 75-year member of Olivet United Methodist Church, Coatesville where he was a member of the altar guild, a trustee, and a church school teacher.

He retired from Lukens Steel in 1982 after over 35 years of service as a crane operator and a foreman in the crane office. After his retirement, he served 11 years as the tipstaff in the court of Judge William Mann.

Chester was a 50-year member of the Brandywine-Goddard Masonic Lodge No. 383 Coatesville, a life member of the Washington Hose Co., Scout Master for Troop 38 at Olivet United Methodist Church, and a member of the Order of the Arrow.

He served in the US Navy Sea Bee's during WWII where he served in New Guinea.

In his free time, Chester enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, gardening and woodworking.

In addition to his wife, Patricia, he is survived by his six children: Sandra Kreiss-Schmidt and her husband Dr. Robert Schmidt of Coatesville; Carol A. Kuhn and her husband Charles of Coatesville; Diana M. Blank and her companion Ralph Senft of Lancaster; Dean M. Eckman and his wife Marianne (Yost) of Honey Brook; Gary W. Eckman and his wife Elizabeth (Sandler) of New Orleans; and Alan S. Eckman and his wife Sherrie (Barr) of New Holland; 10 grandchildren: Daniel and Jared Kreiss; Jeffrey, Jeremy, and Jana Kuhn; Wendy (Blank) Schroeder and Tammy (Blank) Harnish; Jessica (Eckman) Kohler; and Tyler and Aaron Eckman; 17 great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his son, Fred Lewis Eckman; siblings: Ella Mae Rusk, Robert P. Eckman, Pearl B. Eckman; and his cousin, Elaine (Mulrine) Barr, who was raised as his sister.

Chester's funeral services will be held Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Olivet United Methodist Church, 310 East Chestnut Street, Coatesville where family and friends may call beginning at 9 a.m.

Interment will be in Fair-view Cemetery, Coatesville.

Memorials in Chester's honor may be made to Olivet United Methodist Church, 310 East Chestnut Street, Coatesville, PA 19320 or to Patricia Eckman, c/o Wentz Funeral Home, 342 East Chestnut Street, Coatesville, PA 19320.

Arrangements by Wentz Funeral Home, Coatesville, 610-384-0318.

NOTE: The obit was published in the Lancaster Newspapers.

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