Obituary of Emma Margaret Eckley

Emma Margaret (Freudenthal) Eckley, 92, of Bellefonte, PA and formerly of West Decatur, PA passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Hearthside Nursing Home, State College, PA. Born on July 2, 1925 in Sylvia, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Carl W and Mazie Gooch Freudenthal. She was the granddaughter of Dr. Samuel Kerr Gooch & Martha (Shelton) Gooch of Minor Hill, TN; and Dr. Gustav Freudenthal and Albertina (Reinhardt) Freudenthal of Nashville, TN. Her grandfathers met and became friends at a spring in Gettysburg, PA, after the war. Dr. Gooch had been a member of the Confederate Army; and her grandfather Freudenthal a member of the Union Army. In addition to her grandparents, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Willis Eckley, Jr. in 1994. She was also preceded in death by three brothers: Samuel, Carl, and Gussie Freudenthal, and eight sisters: Irene and Elizabeth Freudenthal; Lucille Reed, Estelle Connell, Thelma Winters, Lila Dunn, Frances Wilson, and Nona Belcher. She was the last surviving sibling in her family. She is survived by her son: Robert H Eckley of Bellefonte, PA; her daughter Dorothy Schickling and her husband, Dr. Leonard Schickling of State College, PA. Two grandchildren: Michael C. Eckley and his wife, Erin, of Jersey Shore, PA; and Nicole Eckley, and her husband, Justin Dorsey, of Bellefonte, PA. Two great grandchildren: Madison and Tucker Eckley of Jersey Shore, PA She was a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church of West Decatur, PA. She retired from The General Cigar Company of Philipsburg PA. After retiring, she read her bible repeatedly, and enjoyed gardening, traveling and spending time with her family and two beloved chocolate labs....Aspen and Smokey, whom she referred to as her "boys". In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Calvary United Methodist Church (167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur, PA), the Clearfield County SPCA, Pets Come First of Centre Hall (2451 General Potter Highway, Centre Hall, PA), or Faith Centre Food Bank (110 W High St, Bellefonte, PA 16823). Public visitation will be Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 6-8 p.m, at Koch Funeral Home, State College, PA. The funeral service will be at 11a.m on Friday August 25, 2017 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College, with Reverend Herb Emel Officiating. Burial will be in Bradford Cemetery Woodland, PA. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.