John was an affable guy and always wonderful to be with.  
He made us smile and laugh.
Loved those Canadian sales meetings!!!
God speed…

And here we are in the same time period, eating cake. We spent so much time together - riding Molly the pony, following Lincoln, who managed the garden and the chickens. We learned to milk cows with the farmer down the road. We swam in the pond and let the muddy bottom squish between our toes. There was an old falling apart stone barbecue which we turned into a stagecoach and road to fantasy islands and distant shores. The imaginary horses were all white. John named them, but I don't remember their names now.

John was a prince, an unsung hero with nothing but love in his veins. He leaves behind his wife of many years, Eileen, his children,  his nephews and his cousins. I didn't see him much these last few years, but I always knew he was there, being that silent brick. I will miss John, and I promise him in this writing to stay close to his people and to pick up the reins of love.

Mark and I were outgoing and into everything, kind of noisy, while Babe and John were observers, appreciators. Babe died a few years ago, and now I miss them both. They were such encouragers, such friends, such attentive parents, lovers of their families, their children, us. I remember how much John loved that sweater - a streaking comet.

John was a quiet, sweet and loving person. He was a teacher who got thrust into the family business, probably kicking and screaming. It didn't work out well and he and the business parted ways after about ten years. I admired him for giving it a try, but a teacher is not a business man. See him here in his cowboy hat, off to the side, which was his way.

My cousin John, his sister Babe (Bonne), my brother Mark and I  grew up more like siblings on what our grandfather called his gentleman's farm in Ohio. Babe and John's parents traveled for the company (Bonne Bell) and my mother herded us through the days. John loved her custard with chocolate chips, hated her three bean salad.

Such a great guy.  I remember the dance I went to with him while at culver.  So charming and handsome.  It was the thrill of a young girls life.  I’ll always cherish that dance!!!!!

At lake Chautauqua on July 4, 2021. We had countless great times up there together over the years, especially at the 4th. Favorite story of uncle John at the lake was when he bought an old workhorse ski boat with a ford car engine. No muffler. It sounded like a cigarette boat! He’d pull into our serene Dewittville bay near dusk and people would just stare in disbelief at the noise!

OBITUARY

William John Eckert

January 25, 1947 – February 25, 2024

Hodges-Kiser Funeral Home

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