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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Kenneth Ray
Eckel
October 12, 1945 – May 27, 2015
Obituary
Kenneth Ray Eckel, age 69
of Newton, Illinois passed away at 10:15 PM - Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at his home following months of fighting colon cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends that loved him with his abounding love and sense of humor.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM – Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM – Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the funeral home. In loving memory of Kenneth, memorials may be made to the Scott Avenue Christian Church or Lincolnland Hospice.
Kenneth was born on October 12, 1945, in Olney, Illinois the son of Leonard George Eckel and Mary Katherine (Salisbury) Eckel of Olney, Illinois. He married Trudy Jeane Marshall on November 1, 1964, they resided in rural Bogota, Illinois, she preceded him in death on October 14, 2004.
Kenneth operated the Eckel family farmstead outside Bogota, Illinois. He worked a majority of his life as a swine, cattle, and grain farmer, after leaving farming to work at Kennedy's Elevator, Hutton's Auto Parts, Ziebart and Farm and Fleet. He was active in his son's 4H, baseball, and band activities. Kenneth enjoyed attending his grandson's sports, band, school activities and taking them camping and fishing. He always "Treated others like I want to be treated."
After retiring, he enjoyed winter months in Zapata, Texas at Falcon Lake chasing big bass, whites, and stripers. While spending summers in Olney, Illinois at East Fork Lake where he, enjoyed his campsite living with campfires, fishing, boating, and taking evening rides on the pontoon boat to look at houses. He loved to spend time with his family, his many friends, and neighbors at the lakes. While on the farm, Kenneth and Trudy attended the Christian Church of Bogota and later he and Sharon attended Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, Illinois. His greatest love was his devoted family and friends.
Kenneth is survived by his partner of 9 years – Sharon Fehrenbacher of Newton, Illinois
Son – Kevin (Lisa) Eckel of Bloomington, Illinois
Two Grandsons – Cody and Collin Eckel of Bloomington, Illinois
Step sister – Pat Whalen of Hernando, Mississippi
Step brother – Ronnie Eckel of Olney, Illinois
Mother-in-law – Virginia Marshall of Newton, Illinois
Sister-in-law – Peggy (Jerry) Swisher of St. Joseph, Illinois
Two Nephews – David (Benita) Swisher (child Kyle Swisher and daughter Raelyn); Mike (Stacy) Swisher (children Madelynn and Emma)
Special extended family – Kerry Fehrenbacher and Mindy Laslie, Gari Neal Fehrenbacher (child Brianne) and Kylie Iffert, Kevin (Marcie) Burton (children Mallory and Karson), and Steven (Krista) Fehrenbacher (child Mia).
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, wife Trudy and infant son Tracy Allen Eckel.
of Newton, Illinois passed away at 10:15 PM - Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at his home following months of fighting colon cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends that loved him with his abounding love and sense of humor.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM – Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM – Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the funeral home. In loving memory of Kenneth, memorials may be made to the Scott Avenue Christian Church or Lincolnland Hospice.
Kenneth was born on October 12, 1945, in Olney, Illinois the son of Leonard George Eckel and Mary Katherine (Salisbury) Eckel of Olney, Illinois. He married Trudy Jeane Marshall on November 1, 1964, they resided in rural Bogota, Illinois, she preceded him in death on October 14, 2004.
Kenneth operated the Eckel family farmstead outside Bogota, Illinois. He worked a majority of his life as a swine, cattle, and grain farmer, after leaving farming to work at Kennedy's Elevator, Hutton's Auto Parts, Ziebart and Farm and Fleet. He was active in his son's 4H, baseball, and band activities. Kenneth enjoyed attending his grandson's sports, band, school activities and taking them camping and fishing. He always "Treated others like I want to be treated."
After retiring, he enjoyed winter months in Zapata, Texas at Falcon Lake chasing big bass, whites, and stripers. While spending summers in Olney, Illinois at East Fork Lake where he, enjoyed his campsite living with campfires, fishing, boating, and taking evening rides on the pontoon boat to look at houses. He loved to spend time with his family, his many friends, and neighbors at the lakes. While on the farm, Kenneth and Trudy attended the Christian Church of Bogota and later he and Sharon attended Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, Illinois. His greatest love was his devoted family and friends.
Kenneth is survived by his partner of 9 years – Sharon Fehrenbacher of Newton, Illinois
Son – Kevin (Lisa) Eckel of Bloomington, Illinois
Two Grandsons – Cody and Collin Eckel of Bloomington, Illinois
Step sister – Pat Whalen of Hernando, Mississippi
Step brother – Ronnie Eckel of Olney, Illinois
Mother-in-law – Virginia Marshall of Newton, Illinois
Sister-in-law – Peggy (Jerry) Swisher of St. Joseph, Illinois
Two Nephews – David (Benita) Swisher (child Kyle Swisher and daughter Raelyn); Mike (Stacy) Swisher (children Madelynn and Emma)
Special extended family – Kerry Fehrenbacher and Mindy Laslie, Gari Neal Fehrenbacher (child Brianne) and Kylie Iffert, Kevin (Marcie) Burton (children Mallory and Karson), and Steven (Krista) Fehrenbacher (child Mia).
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, wife Trudy and infant son Tracy Allen Eckel.
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