Velma Echle, 88, of Chillicothe, formerly of Circleville, died at 8:38 p.m. at Adena Regional Medical Center on Jan. 31, 2016, following a brief illness.
She was born May 24, 1927, in Pyramid, Kentucky, to the late William and Minerva Skeans Reffett.
On Dec. 7, 1964, she married Andrew J. Echle, who preceded her in death Oct. 21, 2009.
She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Sipe of Temecula, California; step-daughter, Victoria (James) Strye of San Antonio, Texas; step-grandchildren, Brian Strye of San Antonio, Texas, and Monica (Sean) Foley of Ft. Worth, Texas; step-great-granddaughter, Sarah Strye; numerous loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, including Rick and Ron Hannan, to whom she was like a second mom.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by brothers, Taylor, Edwin, Wayne, Floyd and Raymond Reffett; and sisters: Alma Lowe, Hazel Caldwell, Rhoda Hannan and Bessie Conley.
Velma retired from Columbus Southern/AEP Electric, where she worked as an executive secretary.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at the Haller Funeral Home and Crematory, Chillicothe, with Rev. Jack Norman officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. in Elk Cemetery, McArthur. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday at Haller’s.
Visit www.hallerfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
