WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Vera May Ecker, age 95, of Sturgis departed this world on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, after 34,948 days of life. Most of those days were healthy, active and joyful.
She was born on December 19, 1928 to John and Bertha Strang. She lived her entire life in Sturgis. She graduated from Sturgis High School in 1946.
On September 5, 1947, she married Frank Ecker in Goshen. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together until his passing in 2009. Early in their marriage, they built a house on Thompson Lake where they raised their family with all the joys of lake life.
Vera was employed at the telephone company prior to having children, then stayed home to raise her growing family. She later went to work at Sturgis High School in the Guidance Office.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, and daughter, Robin Griffith. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bobby Lee, Raymond, Louis, Richard and Lloyd Strang and one sister, Ellen White.
She is survived by one son; Ray Ecker (Laura) of Newaygo, one daughter; Tamara Drenth (Douglas) of Kalamazoo a Son-in Law; Dennis Griffith of Gilbert, Arizona, six grandchildren; Nathan Ecker, Evan Griffith, Lucas Veldt, Brianne Dykstra, Bethany Phillips, Anna MacDonald and their spouses. She had 12 great-grandchildren. She has one surviving brother, Kenneth Strang (Judy).
Vera was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sturgis.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no formal services.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
Her family would like to acknowledge and thank Bill Haack, her special neighbor who was a great help to her for many years. They would also like to thank the staff at Thurston Woods Villas for the wonderful care, in the last year of her life.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
