Vera M. Eckert, 86, Celestine

Vera M. Eckert, 86, of Celestine, passed away at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2020, in the Northwood Retirement Community in Jasper. 

Vera was born in St. Henry on August 8, 1934, to Othmar and Alma (Schwinghammer) Bolte. She married Ralph T. Eckert on May 30, 1956, in St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Ferdinand. He preceded her in death on January 3, 2007. 

She was a graduate of the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana. She then received training to teach the playing of the accordion. She taught accordion for Mrs. Campbell’s Accordion Studio in Evansville, and they traveled to teach and play at many places around the area, notably for the troops at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. 

She was a member of the Dreamlanders band, for which she played the piano, and they played at the Moose and for many weddings and events in the area. 

Vera retired from K-Mart in Jasper, where she had worked for 31 years. 

She was a member of St. Isidore Parish – St. Celestine Catholic Church, where she played the organ,  and the St. Ann’s Society. She enjoyed reading and spending time with family and friends. 

She is survived by three daughters, Marcia (Eugene) Helming of Celestine, Debbie Hartwick of Celestine, and Linda (Daniel) Miller of Ireland; one son, Brien (Janet) Eckert of Celestine; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim (Nancy) Bolte of Newburgh. 

Preceding her in death besides her husband are one son-in-law, Jim Hartwick, and one brother, Kenny Bolte. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020, at St. Celestine Catholic Church in Celestine, Indiana, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2020, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper, Indiana. St. Isidore Parish will pray a rosary at 2:30 p.m.

Masks and social distancing are required. The family asks that if anyone doesn’t feel safe to just pray or send cards and that they definitely understand. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Isidore Parish or to a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.