Obituary of Erma E. Eckels

 Erma (Smith) Eckels, age 101 of Mt. Pleasant, PA died Tuesday (1/30/18) at Westmoreland Manor, Greensburg, PA. Mrs. Eckels was born March 17, 1916 in Youngwood, PA, the daughter of the late William and Louise Boning Smith. Erma was a member of the United Methodist Church of Mount Pleasant and its missionary society, where she played piano for the Sunday school orchestra and sang in the choir. She was also a member of Gideons International. Erma graduated from Hurst High School in 1934 and Seton Hill College in 1938 with a degree in Music. She proudly taught Kindergarten classes at Norvelt Elementary School for 13 years prior to her retirement. Erma's goodwill and compassion for children was reflected in each and every story she read to the pre-school children during "Story Hour" at the Mount Pleasant Library. She will be remembered by all of her piano and organ students for her patience and kindness during their lessons. Erma is survived by her children: Dr. Dennis Eckels of Bolivar, Sandra Atkins and her husband John of Urbana, Ohio and The Honorable Roger Eckels and his wife Luann of Mount Pleasant, her eight grandchildren; , Dennis Eckels (Allyson), Douglas Eckels (Jennifer), David Eckels (Ilona), Melissa Miller (Jason), Beth Koplinski (Chuck), Clayton Atkins (Megan Middleton), Christie Fraser and Nicole Horak (James), and by her seventeen great-grandchildren; Shane Eckels (Kristen), Deena Waddell (Zachary), Daniel Eckels, Maximus Eckels, Dean Eckels, Hailey Marquis (Michael Rouch), Jordan Marquis, Elizabeth Miller, Logan Miller, Alex Brozak, Nathan Brozak, Grant Koplinski, Chloe Atkins, Wesley Earles, Brinlee Middleton, Liam Fraser and Raegan Horak and Baby Horak due in July; and great-great Grandchild Waddell due in July. She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Donna Gautier of Salem, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Franklin F. Eckels on December 21, 2002 and by her daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann Eckels on December 4, 2009. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. DeGregory and all the nurses and support staff of 2A at Westmoreland Manor for their excellent care and to Pastor David Greer of the Norvelt Union Church for his compassion and prayers and Heartland Hospice Care. Family and Friends will be received Saturday from 2 until 8 PM Sunday from 12-noon to 6 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania., where funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 A.M. with her Pastor the Rev. Robert Ellson and The Rev. David Greer Co-officiating. Interment will follow in the Green Ridge Memorial Park, Connellsville, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Mount Pleasant, the Mount Pleasant Library or to the Norvelt Union Church, in Memory of Erma Eckels. Arrangement have been entursted to the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, and Eugene G. Saloom. To offer an online condolence, please visit out website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com