Winona J. “Winnie” J. Eckley, 87, a long-time resident of Philipsburg, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, at Ridgeview Healthcare, Curwensville.
She was born May 20, 1929 in Wallaceton, a daughter of the late Chester and Leona (Dickson) Husted.
Mrs. Eckley was a graduate of the former Philipsburg High school.
She was married Feb. 23, 1964 in Virginia to Robert G. Eckley, and he preceded her in death Oct. 3, 1998.
In her earlier years, she worked in a variety of occupations in various areas across the country.
She worked as a Bell Telephone operator in Philipsburg, as a head hostess at Timberline Ski Lodge in Mount Hood, Ore., as a stockbroker’s assistant in Los Angeles and as a fashion model in Cleveland.
Mrs. Eckley returned to Philipsburg to become a familiar and admired presence in the local community and her church – the First Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg, where she served as a member of the trustees and of the Session.
She worked for The Progress and served as a tax collector for Philipsburg Borough. She was also an active force in local politics.
She was a life-long member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1173, Philipsburg. First, she was part of the Women’s Auxiliary and then one of the first women to become an official lodge member.
She loved music and was a talented singer. She was a 50-year member of her church’s choir, and she was a member of the Philipsburg Community Chorus. She was also an avid Penn State football fan.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Brinton “Brint” Dickson and Clayton “Clate” Husted.
She is survived by two daughters, Lisa A. Holden and her husband, Thomas of Philipsburg and Marilyn L. “Buffy” Eckley of Philadelphia; one son, Robert J. Eckley of Potomac, Md.; two granddaughters, Sarah Souders and her husband, Tim of Osceola Mills and Hannah Danko and her husband, Aaron of Philipsburg; one great-grandchild, Koby Souders of Osceola Mills; one sister, Dorcas Husted of Las Vegas; and two brothers, Nelson and Spencer Husted, both of West Decatur.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg. An Elks memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg with the Rev. Dr. Katie Hopper officiating. Burial will be in Philipsburg Cemetery, Philipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg, Capital Campaign, 509 E. Presqueisle St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Mrs. Eckley was strong, intelligent and beautiful – attributes that she parlayed into a life of vast experiences and one filled with devoted friends and family and all of whom will miss her greatly.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at http://www.beezerheathfh.com/.
