Fort Recovery native Herman Joseph Eckstein, 85, of Green Hills Retirement Community, West Liberty, died at 6:20 a.m. Dec. 8, 2006, at the community.

He was born August 1, 1921, in Fort Recovery, to Clement and Theresa Rammel Eckstein. On May 2, 1942, he married Mildred E. Leaverton Eckstein, who survives in Urbana.

Also surviving are three sons, J. Allan (Vicki), Urbana, R. Michael (Diana), West Liberty, and Anthony G. (Laura), St. Paris; five daughters, R. Mary (Daniel) Freyhof, New Carlisle, Theresa E. (Robert) Cody, Vestal, N.Y., Christine R. (Daniel) Miller, Dayton, Kathryn M. (Lawrence) Smith, St. Paris, and Nancy J. Valentine, West Liberty; three brothers, Clarence L. (Alberta), Celina, Eugene (Joan), Coldwater, and Clement O.(Eileen) Greenville; five sisters, Cleopha Brunswick, St. Henry, Margaret H. Benanzer, Greenville, Hilda F. (Cletus) Niekamp, New Bremen, Irene V. (J. Scott) Mowan, Lima, and Teresa M. (William) Bowersock, Spencerville; 27 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are an infant daughter, Olivia; a brother, Leopold P.; a sister, Imelda R. Keller and a son-in-law, Ronald Valentine.

He was veteran of the Army Air Corps serving during World War II as a pilot in the 8th Air Force, 44th Bomb Group, 68 Squadron. He flew 35 missions over Europe and was stationed at Shipham Air Base, Norwich, England. He was a member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church, West Liberty.

Services were 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12, 2006, at the church, the Revs. Dick Barrott and R. Michael Eckstein. Burial was Dec. 12, 2006, at Evergreen Cemetery, St. Paris.

Contributions can be made to Womans Missionary Society, First Baptist Church.