Laura Ann (Newman) Eckel

Laura Ann (Newman) Eckel, 55 of Millbury Oh, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on June 7, 2023.

Laura was born on March 15, 1968, and graduated from Chippewa High School in Doylestown, Ohio. Laura also attended the Wayne County Career Center in Smithville, Ohio studying in the culinary arts. Laura was active in the Chippewa High School band playing the clarinet all through high school and receiving superior ratings at contest. Laura received a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Wellness and completed a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration through Ashford University.

Laura worked in the food service industry for many years as a server, caterer, and later director of dietary services for various nursing home facilities. After she received her Master’s, she held administrative positions in the healthcare industry. She turned her hobby of cake decorating into a small business making delicious and beautiful cake for friends and family. She also worked as a cake decorating instructor for Wilton.

Laura enjoyed years of camping and spending many summers with her grandparents in the Mohican area. She enjoyed drives through the Amish Country and spending time at lakeside or mountain cabins. She also enjoyed reading and cross-stitching. She loved anything paranormal including touring Gettysburg. Recently, she traveled to Gatlinburg, TN on family trips to watch the black bears from the front porch of the mountain cabin.

It was during those summers at Mohican that Laura met her best friend Randy E. Eckel. After graduating high school, Laura moved to the Perrysburg area where she married Randy. Just a few shorts years after getting married, Laura and Randy welcomed their only son, Jordon Edward, raising him together in the area. Jordon and Laura enjoyed watching movies together when Jordon was young and also bike riding through Side Cut Park and Perrysburg. Laura enjoyed her pets including her beloved bull mastiff, Leo along with Tatum and Piper. Laura had an African Gray parrot named Homer, who mimicked her personality and colorful language. Every day Homer is heard yelling for Jordon, Leo, or Tatum and telling people “Just what she thinks.”

Laura is predeceased by her Maternal Grandparents, Dean and Ada Sheedy and Maternal Uncle John E. Sheedy, Doylestown, Ohio; and, Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law, Lyle and Arlene Eckel of Perrysburg, Ohio. Along with Randy and Jordon, Laura is survived by her Mother Alice M. Newman of Doylestown, Sister (her “Seester”) Leslie (Scott) Hookey of Massillon, Ohio, Brother Michael D. Newman of Doylestown, and Sisters-In-Law Cindy Mandell of Toledo, Ohio, and Denise Deppen, also of Perrysburg, Ohio. In addition, she leaves many nephews and nieces and great nieces and nephews in Ohio, Vermont, Alaska and Texas as well as her aunts and cousins. Laura also leaves behind her high school bandmate and her best friend, Wendy (David) Wertz of Norton, Ohio and their two children.

Family and friends will be received at the Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary in Perrysburg, Ohio on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 4-6 pm. A Celebration of Laura’s life will begin immediately following visitation at 6:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Toledo Humane Society, 827 Illinois Ave, Maumee, OH 43537.