Joan T Klott Eckerle , July 06, 1931 — March 25, 2019

Joan T. Eckerle, 87, of New Haven, MO, passed away Monday, March 25, 2019 at Mercy Hospital, Washington, Missouri. Joan was born in Hermann, Missouri on July 6, 1931, a daughter of the late William J. & Collette (Schneider) Klott. She was the wife of the late Norman Francis Eckerle.

They were united in marriage on May 3, 1952, at Little Berger Church, just outside of Hermann. Norman preceded her in death on April 15, 2012. Joan’s first love in life was music.

By age 12 she was playing the organ at Sunday Mass. At age 19, Joan auditioned with the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Her sonata included works from Mozart, Bach, Schubert and Handel.

She passed the audition and was given the opportunity to enter music conservatory in the United States. As a member of Assumption parish, she led the congregation in song for 40 years as organist, rarely missing any Sunday. Joan’s second love was teaching.

She began her career in one room school houses at Hoppe, Bay and Swiss. After moving to New Haven. She taught at Assumption Catholic School.

Later she moved to St. George Catholic School where she retired after 43 years of teaching. In her retirement she worked at the Scenic Regional Library and volunteered at The New Haven Nursing Center, The New Haven Senior Center and at New Haven Elementary School. Joan enjoyed gardening, especially flowers, and attending the activities of her grandchildren.

Joan is survived by a daughter, Cindy Meyer & husband Ray, of New Haven, Missouri; a daughter, Jean Eckelkamp & husband Glenn, of Byron Center, Michigan; a son-in-law, Dave Ashton, of Solon, Iowa; a son, Shawn Eckerle & wife Annette, of Washington, Missouri; a daughter, Kathy Miller & husband Dan, of Dutzow, Missouri; and a daughter, Beth Kluba, of Washington, Missouri; by 12 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, by a daughter, Mary Kay Ashton, and a granddaughter, Stephanie Kluba. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 28th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven.

A funeral mass will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption Church, New Haven, with Father John Deken officiating. Burial will be at Assumption Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. George School in Hermann, or the PSR program at Assumption Parish.

C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.

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