Luanna Jean Foust Eckley Howard,71, passed peacefully into heaven in her home on April 14, 2018 after her incredible victory with ovarian cancer. She lived every day to her fullest.
Luanna was the daughter of Ruth and Donald Foust; she was the eldest sister to Daniel Foust, Paula Smith, Pamela Hollobaugh, and Beth Hartzell.
Luanna was born and raised next to the main gates of Grange Fair grounds in Centre Hall. She attended the Penns Valley High School, graduating in 1964. She furthered her education through business schooling. She was employed and retired from Penn State University.
Luanna married Joseph Robert Eckley and had four children together; Lisa Danelle, Melanie Marlene, Mark David, and Matthew Dean. They resided in Claysburg, PA until relocating to Centre County where three of their children graduated from Penns Valley High School. The children went off to college and work, at which time Luanna and Joseph ended their 26-year marriage.
Luanna remarried years later to Daniel Howard and resided in the Stormstown area. Luanna and Daniel ended their marriage after 10 years. Luanna moved to State College where she resided for her last years in life.
Luanna enjoyed music concerts, shopping, traveling, and family gatherings. If anyone knew her; her famous apple pies, lasagna, and whoopee pies were a staple at any celebration.
Luanna was the most loving, nurturing grandmother to her seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. All the grandchildren have had the blessing to have been cared for by her with the most loving heart ever born into this earth.
Lisa resides in the Sarasota, FL with two sons; Christopher Dlutowski and Alexander Eckley, along with Chris’ paramour, Abigail.
Melanie and her husband, Clay Phillips, reside in State College, PA. Clay’s daughter, Michelle Phillips Exarchos and her two sons, Christos and Nikos Exarchos, reside in Lemont, PA
Mark and his wife, Erin Eckley, reside in Bellefonte, PA. They have two daughters, Loren and Leah that reside in Bellefonte also. Loren married Fernando Parker and has two daughters, Nora and Hazel.
Matt and his wife, Beth Eckley, reside in Warriors Mark, PA. They have two daughters, Haley and Hannah.
Luanna lived the essence of what family is, maintaining strong bonds and relationships with anyone that came into our family. She believed in tradition, maintaining family and extended family reunions throughout her entire life. Luanna maintained long time friendships from school, places she lived, and places she worked. These friendships were so very valuable to her. She was truly a compassionate, caring, selfless person. Her relationships stayed strong as she sent the most thoughtful cards for every event that was to be celebrated. After her death, the family found the cards she left everyone to find after her passing to celebrate her life. Those will be forever cherished.
She was cremated and will be buried with her parents in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery in Centre Hall, PA later, privately for close family only.
Friends and family will be invited to attend a Celebration of her life and love through a reunion picnic in her honor on June 30, 2018 (tentative date). The details of this celebration will be forthcoming and shared on Luanna’s Facebook page, as well as communicated to those who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in her honor to the Bob Perks Fund (www.bobperksfund.org); a local nonprofit helping to financially support cancer patients and families through their life journey.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc. 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.

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