Ila Jean (Eckert) Quiggle, 87, of Osceola, Indiana went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.  She peacefully finished her journey after a lengthy hospital stay.

Ila was born on July 7, 1936 in Plymouth, IN to George and Ilene (Kaylor) Eckert. She was a 1954 graduate of West High School in Plymouth where she grew up on the family farm.  She enjoyed music, playing piano, alto saxophone, and singing, along with performing in school plays.  While she preferred house chores to farm chores, she helped with the garden and went to town going house to house and to the local stores to sell the farm produce with her brother. Following high school, she left the farm for the big city of Minneapolis and attended North Central Bible College and worked.  During those years, she met Dick when they both played alto saxophone in the college band. They married in 1959 in Plymouth, Indiana.  While Dick was in the army, they settled in Valparaiso, Indiana and lived there for over 40 years before moving to Osceola, Indiana.  They were happily married for over 62 years and had two children and five grandchildren. Her three great grandsons brought joy with their visits and calls.

Ila had several side jobs while raising her family including doing alterations for a dry cleaner and bookkeeping for a local business.  She joined Dick traveling the country selling artwork through their business, Lifetime Galleries, while empty nesters.  Through the years, she was involved with music singing church duets with her brother, John, then with Dick after they were married.  She was in church choirs, orchestras, and led a Children's Choir, as well as played the church organ when she lived in Valpo. Together, she and Dick led the Oasis group at the Elkhart church, making many friends and enjoying wonderful fellowship.

A Funeral Service for Ila will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 12:00 Noon EST. at Calvary Assembly of God, 1010 E. Mishawaka Rd., Elkhart, IN 46517 with Pastor Brian Whidden officiating. Friends and family may gather an hour prior to the start of service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in the church. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1300 Chester St., Plymouth, IN 46563.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to Calvary Assembly of God.

For those that wish to send a condolence, share a memory or order flowers may do so at www.billingsfuneralhome.com

Ila's Christian faith was the most important part of her life.  As a young girl, she accepted Jesus as her Savior and chose to live her life to share that joy with her family, neighbors, friends, and strangers.  However, no one was a stranger for long with Ila. She easily shared with others that she loved them and that Jesus did, too.  She attended First Assembly of God, Valparaiso, IN; Living Hope Church, Merrillville, IN; and most recently Calvary Assembly of God, Elkhart, IN.  She longed to see Jesus, but she knew her purpose was to continue sharing God's love and hope with her neighbors and others while she capably lived on her own at home up until the end. Her desire is for all of us to join her for the greatest family reunion ever with Jesus someday soon.

Ila is survived by her daughter Dawn (Jeff) Troxel; daughter-in-law Brenda Quiggle; brothers John (Beverly) Eckert; Floyd (Maureen) Eckert; brothers-in-law Lowell Ott, Jack (Yvonne) Quiggle and Bruce (JoAnne) Quiggle; sisters-in-law Janice Swanson and Jeanne (Mark) Johnson; grandchildren Jordan (Melinda), Trenton (Lexa) and Luke Troxel, Kati and Dylan Quiggle; and great grandchildren Marcus, Collin, and Adrian Troxel; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and relatives.

Ila is preceded in death by her parents George and Ilene (Kaylor) Eckert; son David Quiggle; husband Dick Quiggle; parents-in-law John and Marjorie (Nelson) Quiggle; sister Debora (Eckert) Ott; sister-in-law Beverly Quiggle; brother-in-law John Swanson, along with many other loved ones.

"Be still,and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world."  Psalms 46:10 NLT