Charles C. Eckart

Charles C. Eckart, long time educator, passed away Monday, March 28, 2005 at Carlisle Manor Nursing Home. He was born March 7, 1917 at Spring Run, Pleasants County, West Virginia, the oldest son of the late Charles W. Eckart and Mary Riggs Eckart. Spring Run was the site of his grandfather’s, Walter Riggs, 650 acre farm on the Ohio River. One could travel by horse & buggy, flag a train, or flag a steam boat, to get to town. Charles’ ancestor on the Riggs side, Edward Riggs, came to America in 1633. His son, James, fought in the Pequot Indian War in 1637, and the first Riggs to come to Ohio arrived in 1797 near Marietta.

Mr. Eckart attended a one room school at Grape Island, and graduated from St. Marys High School in St. Marys, West Virginia, as valedictorian in 1935. He then graduated from Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio, in 1939 with an A.B. degree in Social Studies. He later attended Salem College in West Virginia, Ohio University, and Miami University.

He began his teaching career in 1941 at St. Marys High School in West Virginia, teaching civics-American Democracy. A math teacher was needed for fall term in 1942 which resulted in Mr. Eckart having his youngest sister, Jeanne, in algebra, all freshman had to take algebra.

On January 8, 1944, Mr. Eckart entered the United States Navy, and was discharged January 6, 1946, having been awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal with battle stars for Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a pharmacists mate 2nd class, placed in charge of the sick bay quarters. His ship, the USS Attu-Cue-102, a “Jeep” carrier, was used to transport new planes to many islands in the Western Pacific. In late January 1945, the Attu joined the fifth fleet at Ulithi, along with over 1, 000 other ships preparing for the attack at Iwo Jima. The Attu, along with 3 other Jeep carriers, delivered almost 1, 000 new planes to fast carriers and also “Jeep” carriers which had an attack squadron. Thirtyfour “Jeep” carriers were used at Okinawa.

From 1948-1955, Mr. Eckart taught 5th and 6th grade, and coached all sports at Marion Elementary in Marietta, Ohio. He then finished his career at the old Roosevelt Junior High in Middletown, teaching World Geography, Ohio History, or American History for 22 years, retiring in 1977.

After retiring, Mr. Eckart volunteered two nights a week, Wednesday and Saturday, to help with the Bingo game at St. John’s by being the pay master. He enjoyed doing this. He was a member of OHEA, and a life member of American Legion Post 64 in Marietta, and a member of Holy Family Parish-St. John’s Church.

He is survived by four sons, Roger (Patty) of Mechanichsburg, Ohio, David P. Eckart of Marietta, OH, Michael O. Eckart and Mark (Rose Ann) Eckart, both of Middletown; two daughters, Monica (James) Pruyn, of River Forest, IL and Regina (Timothy) Long of Lakeland, FL; sisters Mary Louise Eckart of Reno, OH and Jeanne (David) Wilson of Homestead, FL; a brother, Frank (Maxine) Eckart of Belmont, WV; 11 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Regina O’Linn Eckart, whom he married October 11, 1939; his parents, Charles & Mary Eckart; his son, John Eckart; and an infant son, Richard Eckart.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Parish-St. John’s Church, with Father John Civille as celebrant. Visitation will be Friday, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. (at Bonita Dr.), Middletown. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 218 Honor Guard.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark St., Middletown, OH 45042 – OR – Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420

Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044