MITCHELL – Louise Cornwell Eckensberger, 96, of Mitchell, died Tuesday, September 5, 2006, at the Plainfield Health Care Center in Plainfield, Indiana.
Born November 10, 1909, in Bedford, she was the daughter of James Floyd and Fleta (Cornwell) Menaugh. She married J. Franklin “Hank” Eckensberger July 2, 1932, and he preceded her in death January 12, 1977.
A 1928 graduate of Bedford High School, she was a resident of Mitchell where she was an active member of the Jacob Finger United Methodist Church. Louise was also a member of Forensic Forum, Kappa Kappa Sigma Sorority of Bedford, and John Wallace Chaper of the Daughters’ of the American Revolution, having served as Regent. She had served on the boards of the Lawrence County American Red Cross, Mental Health, and on the Executive Board of the Council for the Aging.
Louise was employed in Lawrence County with Selective Service for seven years until it closed after WWII, and at that time became Executive Secretary of the American Red Cross for eight years. She retired after 23 years with the Lawrence County Welfare Department, as a child welfare casworker and interim director. In 1974 she was voted Indiana Caseworker of the Year by her peers of the Indiana Caseworkers’ Association.
Surviving are her daughter,
Mrs. Jack (Kay) Blevins, Plainfield
sister,
Mrs. Ida Sylvester, Bunnell, Florida
grandchildren,
Stephen (Stephanie) Blevins, Plainfield
Scott (Angela) Blevins, Plainfield
Mrs. Walter (Linnea) Martin, Norwalk, CA
Greg (Christina) Eckensberger, Norwalk, CA
Mrs. Bruce (Tina) Durflinger, Downey, CA
great grandchildren,
Justin, Austin, Alexis, and Jackson Blevins, Plainfield
Tahnee Martin, CA
Deanna Durflinger, CA
Sabrina, Greg, and Marina Eckensberger, CA
several nieces and nephews
Her parents; husband; son, Alan Eckensberger and his wife, Olivia; and two sisters, Virginia Lee Arnold, and Fay Ellen Menaugh, preceded her in death.
Louise never knew a stranger and was a friend to all. She will be warmly remembered by her willingness to help others and she will be deeply missed.
Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 10, at Chastain Funeral Home with Pastors Ron Mercer, Plainfield, and Margaret Pruden, Mitchell, officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday and from 12 o’clock noon until the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jacob Finger United Methodist Church, 139 North Eighth Street, Mitchell, Indiana 47446.