Lillian M. Eckard

Lillian Marie "Lil" Eckard, passed away on August 22nd peacefully in her home with her two sons, family and friends by her side. She was born on February 18, 1915 in Canton, Ohio to Charles Edward and Grace Hunter. Lillian lived her entire life in the Canton/Massillon area, within miles of her birthplace. She graduated from Canton McKinley High School and later worked at Parisian and Kobacker's clothing stores. In 1943 Lillian married Merle S. Eckard and they went on to share fifty years of marriage together. Lillian and Merle owned and operated Eckard's Excellent Food, which was one of the first fast food drive-in restaurants with carhops on roller skates. They were members of First United Methodist Church as well as Shady Hollow and Brookside Country Clubs. Lillian had a love of life and a quick wit that defied her years and endeared others to her. Her loving, kind, supportive friends provided aid, allowing her to live on her own until her death. The family is deeply grateful for her "guardian angels." Lillian is predeceased by her parents, brother Earl (Margaret) Hunter, her sister's Ruth Hunter, Charlotte (Walter) Tanner, Muriel (Claude) Stewart, Marion (Verne) Robinette and her husband Merle Eckard. She is survived by her sons, Vance (Joan) Schuster of Massillon and Graydon (Janis) Eckard of Rancho Murieta, California, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, (one soon to be great great granddaughter), as well as numerous nieces, nephews and treasured friends who are like family. A celebration of Lillian's life will take place at 11:00 AM on Sunday, August 26th at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lillian's name, to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Drive, Suite E, Green, Ohio 44685. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home 330-833-4838