Melissa Marie Eckert, also affectionately known as “Liz”, “Little Eskimo” and “Mama”, 77, died at her residence at 11:10 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2009.
She will be remembered lovingly for her devotion to her five grandchildren and her “little monkey,” her great granddaughter. She liked to tell stories and play with her little ones.
Melissa was born on August 31, 1932. She was the daughter of Jessie and Minnie Whitesell Gaines. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1950.
On July 6, 1952, Melissa and Merle E. Eckert, Sr., were married in the 1st Assembly of God Church.
Melissa worked as a telephone operator for the phone company and as a floor clerk and cashier for Grant’s store.
A strong believer in God, she was an avid and devoted reader of the Bible.
Melissa enjoyed word puzzles, she teased her family and friends a lot and was good at cheating in Uno and playing games such as checkers with her grandchildren.
Melissa is survived by her husband, a son and three daughters. Her son is Merle Eugene Eckert, Jr., Plymouth, and her daughters are Cynthia Maria ( Kenneth) Johnson, Jonesboro, ARK., Beth Ann Riggins, Mentone, IN., and Linda Kay Whitt, Plymouth.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are invited to share memories and visit with Melissa’s family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services, officiated by the Rev. Lowell Ott, will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, December 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. Interment will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Melissa’s memory may be made to the Leukemia Society, 921 E. 86th. St., Suite 205, Indianapolis, IN. 46240.
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