Obituary of Loretta S. Eckel

Loretta S. Eckel, 86, of Cortland, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2024 at Crown Park Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. She was born on March 29, 1938, in Cortland to her parents, the late Bert Sherman and Harriet "Walden" Sherman. She was the seventh child of twelve siblings. She knew the value of family and passed on that legacy to her own children: Karen Moore, Vickie Metcalf, and Kellie Peek. Loretta made her career as a Nurse Respiratory Therapist, working locally at the Cortland Regional Medical Center, where she cared for others for her entire career. In 1983, Loretta and her husband of 25 years, Dr. John Eckel, co-founded the Country Music Park. This stemmed from a vision they had to transform a property and pole barn into Cortland's renowned Opry Barn. The goal was to bring entertainers to attract tourists to the park for entertainment and visitors to the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame. The couple truly put their heart into the Country Music Park and were forever proud of what they and their volunteers accomplished for the community. What was once a dream ended up being a reality. Loretta was a pillar of strength for her family and friends. She spent her life pouring energy and love into everyone she met. She took an active role in many charities and clubs including Eastern Star, Amarant's, Rotary, La Sertoma, Easter Seals, Lions, and many more. As her granddaughter Kate put it so eloquently "if you knew Loretta June Eckel, you knew blonde tall hair, dimples, impressive yodeling skills but most importantly, you knew love." She is survived by her daughter, Vickie (Martin) Metcalf; grandchildren Chrystal Deeken, Jessyca Doran, Nathan Busby, Rebeckah Stull, Wendy Pomeroy, Travis Moore, Martin Metcalf Jr., Nichole McIntosh, Connor DuBois, William Metcalf, Chad Eccleston, James Eccleston, and Kathleen Peek; as well as 25 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Loretta was preceded in death by her two daughters Karen (Robert) Moore and Kellie (Chad) Peek, as well as her siblings Sarah Sharp, Charlotte Bosworth, Christine Hatter, Celia "Putt" Mullen, William Sherman, George Sherman, Charles Sherman, Robert Sherman, David Sherman, John Sherman, and Richard Sherman. Calling hours will be held Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 11am to 1pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. at 9 Lincoln Ave, Cortland. Funeral Services to follow starting at 1pm. Burial will be after the service at Glenwood Cemetery in Homer. A gathering celebrating the life of Loretta will be held after the burial at the Temple of Truth Church Social Hall located at 2 Cook Street, Freeville, NY. To offer online condolences, please visit www.wright-beard.com