Bertha A. Eckel

Bertha “Bert” A . Eckel, 93, of Perrysburg, OH died Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg. She was born in Toledo, on January 28, 1920, to Joseph and Frances (Pliska) Piorkowski. Bertha was preceded in death by three husbands, Joseph Lewandowski in 1958, William C. Wester in 1978, and Eugene F. Eckel in 2008. A lifetime homemaker, her first passion was enjoying her family. Other interests included cooking, crocheting, crossword puzzles, reading, raising orchids and flower gardening. She was a world traveler, adventuring the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska, the Caribbean Islands, South and Central Pacific and Europe. Bert was a member of St. Rose Church in Perrysburg and a former member of The Toledo Club.

She is survived by her children, Robert J. (Linda) Lewandowski of Chagrin Falls, OH, Phyllis J. (Stephen) Etzel of Perrysburg, OH, Joanne M. (Kurt) Smith of Martin, OH, Daniel M. (Laurie) Lewandowski of Purcellville, VA, and stepson, William C. (Sally) Wester II of Cincinnati, OH; fifteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Kathryn Piorkowski of Toledo and Mary Alice Sadowski of Perrysburg; many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Ted, Joseph, and Daniel Piorkowski and sisters, Stella Tobianski, Eva Topolewski, and Jean Kolacki.

Friends will be received from 3-8 P.M. on Monday, October 28, 2013 in the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551 (419-874-3133). Prayers will be recited in the funeral home on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at 9:45 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in St. Rose Church, 215 E. Front St., Perrysburg with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made in the form of contributions to St. Rose Church or to Hospice of Northwest OH, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551. The family would like to thank both the Visiting Angels and the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio for all of the special love and care given to Bert.