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| In Memoriam |
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November 27, 2023 to January 22, 2024
George Eickhoff
Friend of the University of Saint Francis
Doctor of Humane Letters ’16
George William Eickhoff, 94, of Huntington, died Nov. 23 at Heritage Pointe of Huntington. In 1955, George married Barba Jean Fox and they spent a wonderful 68 years together. In 1965 he taught part time at St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) and two years later he was accepted as a full-time assistant professor of mathematics. While there, he also taught part time at Huntington College, specializing in mathematics for elementary teachers. He retired in 1993. The University of Saint Francis awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters to him in 2016.
Survivors include his wife Barba; sister Anita M. Prout of Huntington; children Paul, John (Rhonda), Joseph (Julie) and Lisa (John) Fortini; grandchildren Amanda Eickhoff, Olivia (Gregory) Toy, Lauren (Ryan) Tosland, Hannah Eickhoff, Michael Fortini, Elizabeth Fortini and Meredith Fortini; and great grandchildren Ava Toy, Carson Toy and Nolan Tosland. George was preceded in death by his father Henry Eickhoff, mother Amanda Eickhoff and twin brother Fredreick Eickhoff. Access the obituary.
Daniel Howe ’68
Daniel G. “Dan” Howe, 83, of Orlando, Florida, died Dec. 6. He was born in 1940 in Auburn to George and Marie Howe. Along with brother Kenneth, the family moved to Fort Wayne where Dan graduated from South Side High School, played on the 1958 state champion basketball team and maintained a lifetime of valued friendships with his childhood teammates and friends.
Dan continued his basketball career at The Citadel before enrolling at Ball State University, where he played basketball and volleyball, competed in the National Volleyball Tournament and earned his bachelor’s degree. He earned his master’s degree in education from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) in 1968.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Beverly; son Daniel Howe; daughter Lisa (Chris) Onopa; grandchildren Daniel “Reyer” (Maddy) Howe, Charlie Howe and Harrison Howe; brother Kenneth Howe; and loving nieces and nephews. Access the obituary.
Mary Ann Schieferstein ’68
Mary Ann (Swearingen) Schieferstein died on Dec. 30. She was born in Decatur, Indiana, on Feb. 19, 1934, to Milton and Lucile (Engle) Swearingen. She was a 1952 graduate of Decatur High School. She attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, in the early 1950s, where she met and married William Frick. The couple spent several years in Corpus Christi and had three children. After the family returned to Fort Worth, Mary Ann earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University in 1963.
In 1966, she and her children relocated from Fort Worth to her hometown of Decatur. She then earned a master’s degree from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis).
She is survived by loving, grateful and admiring children William Frick II of Seattle, Washington, Melissa Hawkins of Dade City, Florida, Beth Parker of Burleson, Texas, and Michael Banks of Corsican, Texas; sister Emily Murphy of Boynton Beach, Florida; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, friends and former students throughout the United States. Access the obituary.
Ruth Sprunger ’68
Ruth Anne (Steiner) Sprunger, 93, of Fort Wayne, died Dec. 14 at her home. She was born on Nov. 23, 1930, in Bluffton, Ohio, to the late Sidney and Ruth (Amstutz) Steiner. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bluffton University in 1951 and her master’s degree from St. Francis College (now University of Saint Francis) in 1968.
She is survived by her daughter Kathy Sprunger of Houston, Texas; nieces Sue (John) Baker of Fort Wayne, Bambi Honer of Castle Valley, Utah, and Heidi (Dan) Vetter of June Lake, California; nephew Hans (Carol) Steiner of Exeter, California; and sister-in-law Sigrid Steiner of Wilhelmshaven, Germany. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Kenneth Sprunger; brother Robert Steiner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Orel A. and Ellen Sprunger; and nephew Stephen Sprunger. Access the obituary.
Ernest Daggett ’69
Ernest Daggett, 77, died on Jan. 14 in Merriam, Kansas. He was born on Sept. 5, 1946, in Tennessee. He attended Fort Wayne Central High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis). Access the obituary.
Charles Belch ’71
Charles “Charlie” Belch, 85, of Fort Wayne, died on Dec. 17 at Saint Anne Communities in Fort Wayne. Born and raised in Indianapolis, he studied at Saint Meinrad Seminary and College before graduating from Butler University. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Drake University and St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis).
Charlie is survived by his wife of 61 years Donna Jean (Reed); daughters Stephanie (Michelle), Mary Ann (Joe) and Margaret; grandchildren Isaac Charles, Avery Lilliann, Adrian Reed and Abram Henry; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Frances and Henry Belch; sister Ann; and brother Bob. Access the obituary.
Ann Lebrecht ’66, ’75
Ann E. Lebrecht, 82, of Angola, died Dec. 26. She was born on June 5, 1941, in Fort Wayne, to Clarence E. and Jane (Palmer) Keirns. In 1959, Ann graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Ball State University and the University of Saint Francis. On March 22, 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Theodore G. “Ted” Lebrecht.
She is survived by her daughters Laura (Mark) Wolski of Apex, North Carolina, Betsy (Mike) Pitts of Zionsville and Susan Coonan of Angola; sister Sara McCormack of Madison, Wisconsin; grandchildren Matthew, Julia, Daniel, Rachel, Katie, Elana and Jenny; great-grandchildren Maya, Claire, Myles, Micah, Erin, Parker and Lucy; and her special companion John Williamson, of Angola.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 50 years, Ted; and sisters Barbara Brokaw and Mary McBride. Access the obituary.
Walter Malicki ’81
Walter “Wally” Malicki, 71, of Huntington, died Dec. 27, at his home. Wally was born on June 11, 1952, in Mishawaka. He married Nancy Burdine on Dec. 28, 1974, in Rockville. She preceded him in death on June 20, 2013.
Wally graduated from Washington High School in South Bend. He then graduated from the John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. He later received his master’s degree from the University of Saint Francis.
Survivors include sons Daniel (Lindsay) of Columbia City and David (Mallorie) of Huntington; and grandchildren Miles Malicki, Owen Malicki, Mason Malicki and Mylah Malicki. Access the obituary.
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