Sister Eileen was born June 9, 1920, in New Washington, to Aloysius and Bertha (Wurm) Bechtel.
She is survived by two sisters, Alma (Ray) Long of New Washington and Eileen (Gerald) Studer of Bucyrus; and a brother, Paul Bechtel of Bucyrus.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Marie Supon and Sister M. Gregory Bechtel; and three brothers, Sgt. John Bechtel, Gerald (Jackie) Bechtel and Harold Bechtel.
Sister Eileen was a member of St. Bernard Parish, New Washington, growing up. She received her ME from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She joined the Franciscan Sisters of Tiffin July 16, 1939. She professed her first vows Aug. 12, 1941, and her final vows Aug. 12, 1944.
Sister Eileen was a secondary school teacher at St. Francis Convent School and Calvert High School, both in Tiffin, and Central Catholic High School, Toledo. She served as principal of St. Francis Convent School and was a primary school teacher at Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, and Seneca Huron, Attica. She taught religious education at St. Patrick, Bascom, St. Aloysius, Republic, St. Pius X, Sycamore, St. Stephen, St. Stephen, and St. Sebastian, Bismark. Her teaching career continued as she served the members of St. Mary's Parish, Tiffin, as director of religious education. Sister Eileen served her community as a councilor, motherhouse administrator and medical assistant in the convent infirmary.
In 2004, Sister Eileen was recipient of the Franciscan Peacemaker Award. This award was given to her because she exhibited the charism of peacemaking by holding the treasures of the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, in sacred trust. She exemplified, by her life, the reverence she had for our pioneer sisters and brothers, and for all of us, and the reverence she had for our grounds, our buildings and our furnishings.
Among other things, Sister Eileen had many hobbies, such as bird watching, playing cards, crocheting, sewing and spending time with family and friends. As time went on, Sister Eileen continued to reach out to others by volunteering in the sewing room at St. Francis Home, where she spent many hours mending clothes for the residents. At the time of her death, Sister Eileen served the Sisters of St. Francis as a minister of prayer.
Visitation will be 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 182 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, and 1:30-8 p.m. at St. Francis Convent Chapel, 200 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin. A wake service will begin at 4 p.m. at the convent.
Her funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the convent chapel with the Rev. Mark Hertzog officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Convent Cemetery, Tiffin.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Convent or St. Francis Home.