PHYLLIS CAFFEE ECKMAN

PHYLLIS CAFFEE ECKMAN, 85, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at Towne House Retirement Community. She was born March 3, 1926 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Horace and Ilma (Baum-gartner) Caffee. She attended Downers Grove High School, obtained a nursing degree at Chicago Presbyterian Hospital in 1947 and a bachelor's degree in nursing froom the University of Illinois in 1949. She came to Fort Wayne in 1952 to work as a nurse at the Veteran's Administration Hospital where she met her future husband, Charles Eckman. They were married April 28, 1956. She continued her education at Saint Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) and obtained a master's degree in education in 1966. She joined the nursing faculty of IPFW where she taught from 1966 to 1980. Passionately committed to life-long learning and self-development, she returned to school in 1980 and obtained a master's degree in library science from IU Bloomington. She worked as health sciences librarian at Parkview Hospital until her retirement in 1991. She had a warm and engaging personality. She loved and was talented at furniture making and knitting. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church (UCC) since 1956. Surviving are her husband of 56 years, Charles Eckman; son, Chuck Eckman of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; daughter, Catherine Eckman of Columbia, S.C.; seven nieces; and one nephew. She was preceded in death by a sister, Enid Strabel and a brother, John P. Caffee. Funeral Service is 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at Klaehn Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Wayne Street Chapel, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials to Plymouth Congregational Church. Arrangements by Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home. klaehnfahlmelton.com