Betty A. Eckert

Betty A. Eckert, 93, who saw nearly a century of the most amazing times in history, of rural Claypool, Indiana (Beaver Dam Lake) passed surrounded by her family at 5:36 pm, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 at her residence. Betty was born, premature at just 4lbs with a heart murmur, on June 8, 1930 in Plymouth, Indiana to the late Alva and Dorothy (Montague) Sisk. She was a 1949 graduate of Warsaw High School. She married on Feb. 23, 1951 in Warsaw, Indiana to Merl “Bud” H. Eckert, who preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 1995. She was an operator for United Telephone as well as working for R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Holland Furnace Company, Horn’s Sunny Meade all of Warsaw. Betty served as one of the first community emergency operators, plugging into the fire firefighters line and providing them with the location of the fire (all before 911 was established in Indiana). She enjoyed being in bowling leagues, and loved playing cards or any kind of games. In addition she enjoyed spending time crocheting, reading and making cinnamon rolls. A late bloomer of the iPad and enjoyed those puzzles and games too. Betty watched tennis and could get anyone interested and involved when watching with her. She was always game for anything even in her later years, going on a canoe excursion being dumped two different times by her kids, still always up for another adventure. She even ventured to go with her mother and mother in law on one of the camping trips. The family loved camping each year in Minnesota or Florida, she would say “I believe that’s where all my kids came from”. Another excursion was to take her father dying of cancer for his last adventure. As a mother of 5, she was always caring for others, always putting someone else first. She had the loss of her 1st Child, and then her 2nd child was born with Down Syndrome “the favorite of the family” whom she cared for 58 years. She stayed by her husband’s side as he was placed in hospice care during his passing. She experienced the tragic death of her 2 sons being lost at sea after a fishing excursion in Florida, one survived while the other 2 were never found; she has also experienced the loss of 3 grandchildren. However she always stayed positive and forged on and made us all stronger and continued to enjoy every new adventure every day. Her family grieves her loss, but they take comfort knowing that she will once again be together with those she cared for and loved. She is survived by her daughter Tina and husband Chris Cook of Warsaw; son Michael and wife Mary Eckert of Claypool; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; sisters Barbara Ginter of Hobart; and her dog Benji. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Alva Sisk and Dorothy Black, husband Bud, sons Roy, Jay, and Shaun Eckert, an infant daughter Sharon, 3 grandsons, sister Mary Jane Grubbs, 2 still born brothers, and step father Robert Black. A PRIVATE funeral service to celebrate this amazing, wonderful caring life will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 at King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker Street Mentone, Indiana. Visitation will be held from 11 am to the time of the service. The interment will take place following the service in the Harrison Center Cemetery, Etna Green, Indiana. Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the local animal shelter of their choice.

Betty A. Eckert

June 8, 1930 - October 1, 2023