GAYLEE ECKHART

 Gaylee Eckhart, 85 of Convoy, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at VanCrest Nursing Home of Van Wert. She was born on January 29, 1940, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the late Howalee “Sonny” Bush and Blanch June (Hughes) Bush. 
 Gaylee graduated from Edinburg High School in Indiana in 1959, then she graduated from Elkhart University as a Registered American Medical Technologist and a registered X-Ray Technologist. She spent 18 months in Arizona to receive her certification as a Healer Certified Herbologist.
 Gaylee then joined the Air Force, and with her experiences, she made it into the Air Force Medical Officers School. She met and married Sgt. Allen Walter Eckhart on May 29, 1964, on Memorial Day. Allen preceded his wife in death on January 7, 2017, after 52 years of marriage.
 She is survived by one sister, Vicki Sue (John) Hadlock of New Port Richey, FL, and one nephew, Mitchell Lee Hadlock, also of New Port Richey, FL.
 With her local American Legion membership, she entered the 2nd district and won 1st place with her A.L. History Book and also took 1st place at the Ohio State Fair. She had served 44 years with the American Legion Post# 208 of the Convoy Community and charities supporting other paralyzed veterans by gathering toys for children. She crocheted over 400 baby blankets and gave them to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Gaylee attended the Southwest Radio Church of Oklahoma City while there and played the clarinet for nineteen years with the Van Wert Community Band.
 Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Convoy at 10:00 a.m. with combined military rites from the American Legion Post #178 of Van Wert and the VFW Post #5803 of Van Wert.
 Preferred memorials are to the Salvation Army of Van Wert. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.