Howard W. Eckert, Jr., of the Lutheran Community at Telford, formerly a long-time resident of Sellersville, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, Tuesday, March 5, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. He was the beloved husband of Beatrice (Strohl) Eckert for 62 years. He was 87.

Born in Hellertown, he was the son of the late Howard W., Sr. and Mildred (Apple) Eckert.

Mr. Eckert was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, having served as a navigator during World War II.

Howard graduated from Penn State University in 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Mr. Eckert had been employed as a civil engineer for Berger Associates, of Lakehurst, NJ; Burma; and Buffalo, NY. Upon his move to Sellersville, he was employed as a general superintendent at the former George Frank, Inc., of Sellersville.

Howard had also been employed by PennDOT, the City of Bethlehem, and Bethlehem Steel. In 1964, he founded, with Thomas Malone of Bethlehem, the civil engineering and land surveying firm of Eckert and Malone, of Sellersville.

Mr. Eckert served on Sellersville Borough Council for 34 years and later served as mayor for six years.

Howard was a member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Sellersville, where he had served on Church Council and as head usher.

He was a member of the American Legion Nase-Kraft Post #255, Sellersville, an associate member of the Sellersville Fire Department, and a Mason.

Mr. Eckert was a past president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs. He was also a member of the Maskenozha Rod & Gun Club, of Bushkill, PA.

A life member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Howard was a proud fan of the Nittany Lions, enjoying his football season tickets for decades.

An avid supporter of Pennridge High School sports, he and his wife had season tickets for Pennridge football games. They enjoyed attending all community events. Howard volunteered every year with Sellersville’s annual Kids Fishing Derby. A keen hunter and fisherman, he had also loved to play tennis.

Howard and his wife also participated annually with Sellersville’s Gallery of the Arts, manning the information both. They were also involved with the borough’s annual WinterFest celebration since its inception in 1999.

Howard was a true friend to all who knew him and will be dearly missed.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Eckert is survived by his two daughters: Donna Balascak and her husband, Dennis, of Coopersburg; Wendy Karamihalis and her husband, Timothy, of Palm Harbor, FL; and four grandchildren: Andrew Balascak, of Coopersburg; Matthew Balascak, of Arlington, VA.; Lindsey Karamihalis and Kyle Karamihalis, both of Palm Harbor.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9, in St. Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25 East Church Street, Sellersville, PA 18960. Family and friends may call at the church Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Interment with full military honors will follow in Sellersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church at the above address.

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