Dorothy E. Eckert (Rinnert) went to be with her Lord on June 30, 2026.

Born in Marion, Ohio on June 16, 1934 to the late Mary A (Zieg) and John L. Rinnert, she was a 1952 graduate of Harding High School. She graduated from Bowling Green State University and taught elementary school in Marion and Findlay, Ohio.

On January 9 1955 she married her life partner Robert W. Eckert. He helped her finish her schooling, then she taught while he got his architectural license. Together they raised a son and daughter. He preceded her in death on October 1, 2001.

A volunteer all her life, Dorothy was a Cub Scout den mother, a Camp Fire Girl leader, a Red Cross swim volunteer and a parent advisor to the Eagle Creek Dance team (BSA) when they twice won the national dance competition. She was also a sixteen-gallon blood donor for the American Red Cross. For several years, she was a Palace Theater volunteer. Most recently she was a Friend to Brownstone Terrace.

Her love of the Lord led her to serve the United Church of Christ in both Marion and Findlay as moderator of the official boards and as an elder and deacon. She taught Sunday School for over twenty years and was children's division leader in Marion where she directed the Vacation Bible School as well as the year-round Christian Education activities.

Previously, she helped serve community dinners and breakfasts twice a month and did the church’s “pill bottle ministry” for several years. She was a member of the JOY and Sonshine Circles and the Church Ladies Red Hat groups.

On the United Church of Christ regional level (N.W. Ohio and Ohio Conference) she was a board member and chaired the Continuing Education Committee and the Institutional Representative Committee. At the national level she served as an Ohio General Synod delegate three times and served as a volunteer at two other synods, including being the tri-chair of hospitality in Columbus.

The Housing Committee of United Church Homes, Inc., serving low-income adults was especially important to Dorothy. While she served on the Board of Director. She visited all of the affordable housing sites that UCH had at that time. She was a donor and volunteer at Fairhaven Community (UCH) in Upper Sandusky for over thirty-five years and gave about 10,000 hours to them.

For her many volunteer efforts, Dorothy received several awards:

          The Ben Herbster Award for her contribution to United Church Homes - Fairhaven 1992

          Ohio Health Care Volunteer of the Year Ohio Health Association - 1989

          The R. H. P. Volunteer of the Year 1990

          The Caring Award from the First Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, Englewood, Colorado for her work for the church and the Denver Inner-City Parish 2014

          The Spirit Award - United Church Homes Community Housing 2018

After Bob died, she moved to Colorado for ten years but returned to her native Ohio. She enjoyed cooking, especially baking; sewing, reading, and doing crossword and sudoku puzzles. She loved to entertain and was a gracious hostess, always seeing to the needs of others. She made many "crazy" quilts and stuffed animals and dolls which she donated to local charities. She made "hot bags" for mobile meals, Easter cards, Halloween cards, Christmas and Valentine's socks for the Fairhaven Volunteer Service Group. She also made holiday crafts.

Dorothy enjoyed collecting bells as she traveled, apples for her teaching years, and received many angels from family and friends. In the winter she liked to display and share her Department 56 porcelain village.

Surviving are her son, Brent and wife Christina Eckert of Puyallup, Washington, her daughter, Marcia Eckert and her husband Rik Hanski of Englewood, Colorado., Sister Emily and husband Dr William Montegomery of Katy, Texas. Preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Robert E. Rinnert, and Paul A. Rinnert.

She also has three grandchildren and eight great grands; five nieces and two nephews and family.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life service to be held at the Edwards Funeral Service, Hughes-Allen Chapel, 318 Mount Vernon Avenue, Marion OH on September 19 at 1:00 pm with pastor Kim Moaller.

Dorothy requested people attending would wear something colorful (especially red) as this service is a celebration of a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers please, please donate to United Church Home, Inc. 170 E. Center Street Marion Oh. for the Housing Department or the First United Church of Christ.

The family requests you stay after the service and share memories with them.

Condolences may be extended to family at eckertbrent@gmail.com.