Ozella Fern Eckles

Ozella Fern (Lane) Eckles, 89, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Monday, July 30, 2018, at Heisinger Bluffs in Jefferson City. She was born on October 9, 1928, in Sedalia, Mo., the daughter of Raymond R.and Opal L. (Connor) Lane, who preceded her in death. Fern was the widow of Henry L. Eckles. She attended Green Ridge High School and was a graduate of Smith-Cotton High School (Class of 1946) and the Sedalia Business College. For several years, Fern worked at Tempel-Callison Co. in Sedalia as secretary and bookkeeper. While employed there she operated the only blue print duplicator in Sedalia and was proud to receive the security clearance required to produced prints for the Minuteman Missile installations. Later, she was a school bus driver for Smithton School for 14 years. Fern was an avid sales representative for Shaklee products. She loved animals, especially horses and dogs-and animals loved her. Fern was proud to be a farmer- raising cattle, chickens and a large garden. She was a proponent of organic gardening years before it became fashionable. Fern was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, the State Fair Saddle Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Epworth Quilters, and Dorcas Circle Quilters at Faith Lutheran Church in Jefferson City. For the past three years, she was a very active resident of Heisinger Bluffs in Jefferson City. She enjoyed her apartment there and the view of the Missouri River from her windows. She is survived by a son, Danny R. Eckles and his wife Elizabeth, of Jefferson City. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, V. Dale Lane; a cousin, Harold Skidmore; and her beloved border collie, Katie Belle. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia, Mo. with Rev. Ian Lasch, officiating. (Casual attire suggested). Visitation with the family and friends will follow the service at Echo Valley Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church in care of Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.