Obituary: Beth Halvorsen Eacker

Beth Halvorsen Eacker (69) of Oxford Ohio died on Sept. 14, 2024.

Beth was born on August 25, 1955 in Sidney, Montana. After attending the University of Montana, she got married and moved to Oxford, graduating from Miami in 1978.  

In 1980, daughter Kate was born; son Dane in 1984 (d. 1985); and son Elliot in 1989. What Beth loved most was being a mother; there was no mountain high enough to keep her from spending time with her kids. 

Beth was a familiar face in Oxford, working at the General Store/Finishing Touches and Faith Lutheran Church. She was involved in the community including Miami University Summer Theater, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, MOON Co-op and the Springwood POA. She earned her MBA from Miami in 1996 and went to work at First Financial Bank in Hamilton. Prior to retirement, Beth worked at The Elms Hotel for 18 years. 

Beth married Geoff Eacker of Oxford in 2004 in a backyard celebration with family and friends. 

Beth loved cooking and attended cooking school in France with good friends. Although her kids remember being called to dinner by a smoke alarm rather than a dinner bell … Beth often had a twinkling laugh about that. 

Beth is preceded in death by her parents, Vita and Haaken Halvorsen; Uncle Joe Halvorsen; and her son, Dane Gale Newton. She is survived by husband Geoff Eacker (Oxford); sisters Karen Kostner (Tacoma), Margaret (Larry) Hatcher (Minot, ND) and Ruth (Kim) Reineking (Missoula); and her children, Kate Glenn (Star, ID) Elliot Newton (Las Vegas). She is also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; family in Germany; and close friends she referred to fondly as her grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American SIDS Institute (www.sids.org) in memory of Dane. 

A celebration of life will be held on November 10 (1-3 pm) at the Oxford Community Arts Center.