Merle A. Eckhart, 77, of Amherst and formerly of Willshire, died Oct. 12, 2011, at his home.

He was born Jan. 12, 1934, in Toledo, to Charles and Marquerite (Friess) Eckhart.

Survivors are his former wife, Betty Eckhart; his children, Charles Eckhart and Tammy Eckhart, both of Rockford, and Kim; a stepson, Robert Smith, Oak Harbor; a stepdaughter, Kris Oehlers Scher, Elkhart, Ind.; siblings, Ruth Jeko and Joanie Foster, both of Toledo, and Wayne Eckhart, Las Vegas; and two grandchildren.

Deceased are a stepson, Mike Oehlers; a stepdaughter, Virginia Smith; a brother, Ivan "Red" Eckhart; and two sisters, Doris "Cookie" Cole and Lois Heffelbower.

He was a a dairy farmer in Willshire. He served in the Marine Corp during the Korean War and was a lifetime union member of Local 18 - Operating Engineers.

A memorial service is 2-9 p.m. Saturday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9963, Walbridge.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were handled by The Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, Amherst.

Condolences may be made at www.dovinreberjones.com.