Catherine Eichler, 88, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 7:38 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Van Wert In-Patient Hospice, Van Wert, Ohio.

She was born on November 9, 1927, in Blackcreek Township, Willshire, Ohio, the daughter of Carl F. and Gertrude (Brewster) Miller. On April, 14, 1956, she married Paul Eichler, and he survives in Rockford.

She had lived in the area all her life and was a faithful and very active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Hopewell, Rockford, Ohio. She was a member of the women's organization, and had been a Sunday School teacher there.

She had enjoyed her years as a 4-H advisor and was an amazing gardener - she loved all her flowers and was well known for her beautiful gardens and flowers; she was also active in the Rockford Garden Club for many years.

She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking and baking, and was especially good at making pies. She had worked over 20 years at Shane Hill in Rockford as a cook and had also worked at the TU-Way factory, also in Rockford. She enjoyed life and especially her family.

Surviving in addition to her husband Paul are three children: Kathy (Richard) Cesar of Rockford, Ohio; Ed (Lisa) Eichler of Van Wert, Ohio; and Bob (Mary) Eichler of Rockford, Ohio. Nine grandchildren survive: Ellen (Mitchel) Morrow, Richard Paul (Courtney) Cesar, Brandon Cesar, Joel Cesar, Jared Cesar, Callie Eichler, Claire Eichler, Leah Eichler, and Lydia Eichler, along with two great-grandchildren--Colt Morrow and Augustus Cesar. Catherine has three siblings who also survive: a sister, Ruth Werner, Zelionople, PA., and two brothers, Carl LaVerne (Martha) Miller, Berne, Indiana and Kenneth (Dee) Miller, Demotte, Indiana.

Deceased are a brother, Herbert M. Miller, and three sisters: Emilene Henkle, Anna Lou Kosier, and Helen Linn.

Services will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Hopewell, on St. Rte 118, south of Rockford. Pastor Karen Tamorria will be officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, on Tuesday, from 2-7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be directed to the St. John's Lutheran Hopewell Church or to Van Wert In-Patient Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.