Elizabeth "Betty" Ann (Eckert) Kindler

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Kindler, age 88, of Huntington, IN, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:45 PM at her residence surrounded by her children and family.  

 Mrs. Kindler was born on March 25, 1937, in Huntington, IN, to the late Raymond F and Emma Jane (McVoy) Eckert. Betty was one of 13 children and the oldest girl, and as such from the age of 4, Betty was her mother’s able-bodied assistant in the kitchen helping mom to feed the ever growing family of 13.

Mrs. Kindler was a 1955 graduate of Huntington Catholic High School. She was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, in Huntington, IN.   

Betty spent her “work” life at Noll Printing in her early years and then Later serving her faith community at Victory Noll in the Kitchen. Doing what she felt served God, feeding his most faithful. 

Betty married her first Love, Thomas A. Parker , June 20, 1959, he preceded her in death April 5, 1967 while serving his country in Vietnam. Betty married, Thomas E. Kindler on December 13, 1969,in Huntington, IN. From that time on, she devoted her life to God, Tom, her children and Council 1014 of The Knights of Columbus. Tom preceded her in death on May 28, 2000. For the last 25 years she has been the beacon of faith she always “hoped” she would be and feared she might fall short. 

Betty’s faith and church were a source of great comfort and joy as she watched her family’s baptisms, first communions, weddingsand funerals.   Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Betty spent her life feeding …Everyone. When immobility made it hard to for her to make her famous “Cinnamon Bread” Marshall wrote don’t start without Marshall on the top of the recipe. Always lots of goodies in a “snack drawer” for her great grandchildren and close enough to be grandchildren.    Betty loved the hugs she got after Mass and even had some hugs left over for “do you give hugs to just anybody” children Betty loved those family times playing cards or dominos and woe be to he or she who messed up her run!!!

Betty is survived by her seven children, Emily (Parker) GeorgeGoedesky, Brian (Natalie) Parker, Anne (Parker) Gary McClellan, all of Huntington; Laura (Parker) Tim Maher, Fort Wayne, IN, Rachel (Parker) Joe Zahm, David Kindler, Marshall E. Kindler, all of Huntington, IN; two brothers, Kenny (Cheri) Eckert, Raymond Eckert, both of Huntington, IN; three sisters, Mary Jane Bartrom, Marylin (Buddy) Hayes, and Diane (Jim) Carl, all of Huntington, IN.

Betty is also survived by her grandchildren, Thomas Scheer, Amanda (Andy) Florentino, Victoria (Tommy) Wall, Christopher (Kip) Sarah Goedesky, Kyle Goedesky & Charlotte Vecchiarelli,Kyle & Beth Endsley Parker, Thomas and Emily Parker, Macy (Liz) McClellen, Katie (Joe) Lee, Brianna (McClellen) Bryce Smothers, Scott & Maddie McClellen, Cameron Shelby Yordy, Andy Maher , Nicholas & Makayla Maher, Josua & Kassy Zahm, Alexandra (Zahm) & Paul Ramsey, Justus Zahm, Lauren (Matt) Kanitz, Dylan& Allie Kindler; 

Great-grandchildren, Abbiegale, Ben , Audreanna, Jaxson, Emmalin, Thomas, William, Landon, Mariam, Genevieve, Emmitt,Eli, Emery, Grace, Blakely, Finnley, Amelia, Delaney, Liam, Joslyn, Tristin, Gabriel, Max, Bria, Alia, Raelynn, Miles, Harrison, Scarlet,Calvin, Wallace, Lincoln, Elizabeth Baby Ella Parker is due in May.

Along with her parents and both husbands she was preceded in death by 7 brothers, Thomas Eckert, John Eckert, Donald Eckert, Frederick Eckert, Joseph Eckert, Charles Eckert and David Eckert.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 860 Cherry Street, Huntington, IN.

Additional calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 860 Cherry Street, Huntington, IN  46750, with Fr. Tony Steinacker presiding.

Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, IN.

McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN. is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences: www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com

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