THE BLADE, Toledo, Ohio, Published: May 13, 2005

ECKERT Sgt. Gary "Andy"

Sgt. Gary "Andy" Eckert, Jr., 24, of Sylvania, OH, formerly of Whitehouse,
OH, died May 8,2005, in Balad, Iraq. He was born in North Carolina to Gary
 and Deborah (Carroll) Eckert. Andy's true joys in life were the love he
shared with his wife and soul mate, Tiphany, and his children, Myles and
Marlee. He was a gifted athlete who enjoyed all sports, which came to him
naturally. Andy was proud to serve his country in the US Army Reserve and
thankful for the man the Army helped him to become. He knowingly made the
sacrifice to return to Iraq to serve his country.

Andy was a 2000 graduate of Anthony Wayne High School. He served in the US
Army for the past 3 years. He was a member of the 983rd Engineering Battal-
ion in Monclova Twp. Other memberships include Calvary Assembly of God, To-
ledo, OH, Anthony Wayne and Penta FFA, YMCA, Toledo Celtics Soccer, Pace-
setter Soccer Club, Sylvania Firefighters Local 2243 Soccer and Softball
teams. 

He married Tiphany Anne (Miramontes) February 28, 2003, in Toledo, OH. She
survives along with children, Marlee Freedom, and Myles Manning; mother, Deb-
orah Cieslak; father, Gary (Cathy) Eckert; father-in-law, David Miramontes;
mother-in-law, Angela Miramontes; grandparents, Sherman and Veda Eckert and
Mahlin and Beverly Carroll; brother, Ryan; sisters, Denise, Crystal, Jessica,
Stephanie, and Alexandria, and special friends, Bret and Gwen Howland, Travis
and Aubrey Repass, Redus and Jessica Thomas, Theresa Martin, Kris Howland,
and Paul Matney. He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Donald
and Florence Keys.

Friends and family may call Sunday, May 15, 2005 from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. at Pei-
nert Funeral Home, 7220 Dutch Rd., Waterville, OH. Funeral services will be
Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Assembly of God, Toledo, OH with Pastor Bill
McGinnis officiating. Interment will follow with full military honors at White-
house Cemetery. The family asks that guests wear colors that they feel would
celebrate Andy's life.

Andy would ask that thoughts and prayers go out to all US Military Personnel
throughout the world, especially the 244th and 983rd Engineering Battalions.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Eckert Children Memorial Fund at
any National City Bank Location, Acct # 982633906. Donations of items such as
personal care items, phone cards, breath mints, etc. may be dropped off at the
983rd Engineering Battalion on Garden Rd. or any Sylvania Twp., Washington Twp.
Waterville or Whitehouse fire and police stations and all Toledo fire stations.