Howard Jay Eckman, Sr., 71, of East Petersburg, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy, after an illness of five years. He was the husband of Linda L. Chapman Eckman, to whom he was married for 54 ½ years. He was born in Akron, son of the late Howard W. and Mary “Betty” E. Grube Eckman. He worked for Mohawk Rubber until they closed and retired from LPP (Dana Corp.) He was also a part-time bartender at the Midway Hotel for the Gusic family. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, fishing, loved going to the cabin with his uncles and cousins, and was devoted to his family. Howard was a member of Pequea Valley Sportsman Association, and the Loyal Order of the Moose. He had been under the care of Kindred Home Care for the past three years.
Surviving in addition to his wife, two sons: Thomas H. Eckman, Elizabethtown; and Howard “Jay” Eckman, Jr., Ephrata. Two daughters: Diane L. Klos Eckman, East Petersburg; and Veronica A. Eckman, Lancaster. Seventeen grandchildren. Eleven great-grandchildren. Two brothers-in-law: Tom and Jere Chapman. Several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister: Mary Homsher. One grandson: Jay Tyler Eckman. Father and Mother-in-law: Vincent and Rose Wynosky; Father-in-law: Charles "Chappy" Chapman. Brothers-in-law: Tom and Bankson Chapman.
The Funeral Service will be held at Faith United Methodist Church, 1290 Fruitville Pike, Lititz on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Jason B. Perkowski, officiating. Interment in East Petersburg Mennonite Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Mountville/Columbia. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.