Jean Ann Viola Eckert's Obituary
Jean Ann Viola Eckert, 85 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on February 3, 2018 at Missouri Baptist Hospital, St. Louis, MO. She was born October 18, 1932, in East St. Louis, IL, daughter of the late Theodore A. and Alfrieda M., nee Weltig, Gummersheimer. She was married to the late Marcellus "Marc" A. Eckert. They were married June 12, 1954, in Columbia, IL, he passed away July 12, 2011.
Jean was a retired Pre-School and Kindergarten Teacher for Cahokia Unit District 187 and had also taught GED classes at Southwestern Illinois College for many years. Many may also remember her as a local real estate agent. She was an active member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, IL, where she served on the kitchen committee, was a quilter, a confirmation sponsor, a member of the Evening Women's League and had delivered communion to those who were shut in or nursing home residents. Her other interests included the Columbia Library, having been active in the Library Story Hour, as well as the Monroe County Homemakers Extension Assn.
Surviving are her daughters, Gina Lee (Terry) Payne of Cape Girardeau, MO, Marcia Lynn (Kirt) Sheer of Imperial, MO; and son, Mark Edward (Penny) Eckert of Lawrence, KS; grandchildren, Rebecca (Jon Rose) Payne, Tia Newcom, Tyler Payne, and Allison and Katie Eckert; great-grandchildren, Taleya Christisen and Henry Rose; sisters, Iona Juengling of Columbia, IL and Evelyn Stumpf of Columbia, IL; brother-in-law, Harvey Ries of Columbia, IL; sister-in-law, Doris (Bob) Reece of Millstadt, IL, along with other relatives and friends.
She was also preceded in death by her sister, Marion Ries; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Stumpf, and James Juengling.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 8, 2018, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, and Friday February 9, 2018 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia Il. Memorial Services will be held Friday, February 9, 2018 at 12:00 pm at the church, with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating.
Jean has gifted her remains to Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: St. Paul United Church of Christ, 127 N. St. Paul, Columbia, IL, 62236 or American Cancer Society, #5 Schiber Ct., Maryville, IL, 62062. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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