BLANCHE ECKHARD, age 88, of Portage, passed away Friday, April 18, 2014.  She was born in Greenfield, TN on October 22, 1925.  Blanche was a longtime Portage resident and a very involved member of Grace Church of the Nazarene in Portage.  Blanche will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

She is survived by her 4 children, Sherrill (Rodney) Luellman, Karen (Jack) Cornelius, Michael Eckhard, and Kelli (Daniel) Calvert; 7 grandchildren, David (Mandi) Eckhard, Melissa (Nick Oslizlo) Luellman, Dana Cornelius, Kyle Cornelius, Katie ­­­­(Charlie) Zila, Zachary Calvert and Rebecca Calvert; several great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Blanche was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, George; her infant daughter, Kathleen Eckhard; parents, Thomas and Annie Phillips; 2 brothers, Melvin and Raleigh Phillips.

Funeral services for Blanche will be Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Church of the Nazarene, 5360 Clem Rd., Portage with Rev. Mark L. Hostetler.  Burial will follow at McCool Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, April 21, 2014 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart, (219) 942-2109 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com .