David Lynn Eckelbarger

Born in Marion, Indiana on February 20, 1949 to the late Virgil & Betty (Arthur) Eckelbarger, Dave attended Mississinewa High School, where he earned his nickname after “surfing” the river on an orange surfboard that he had made in shop class.

Throughout his life, Dave went on many adventures. He enlisted in the Navy, where he was stationed at Cecil Field, and he backpacked the world two separate times, one of which resulted in Bob Seger dedicating a song to him and a friend at a concert, which was a story that he always loved to tell.

In 1999, he traveled to Russia, where he met his beautiful wife Liliya. They married on September 25, 2000 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A salesman by trade, Dave never knew a stranger. He loved meeting new people and regardless of if that was at Sears Homelife, Men’s Wearhouse, Klopfenstein Furniture, or just a trip to the grocery store, he never went anywhere without making a new friend along the way.

Surf enjoyed listening to classic rock music, watching IU basketball, the Chicago Cubs, hiking, traveling, making people laugh, and just being with his friends and family (which is what he loved most of all).

In 2022, he relocated to New Bern, North Carolina, where he spent the last year of his life living next to the river, enjoying nature, going to the beach, and making memories with his grandchildren.

Left behind to share his stories are; his wife and best friend Liliya Eckelbarger of New Bern, North Carolina; sons, Justin (Erika) Eckelbarger, also of New Bern, North Carolina, Denis (Svetlana) of Russia and Corey (Annalisa) Eckelbarger of Brookings, Oregon; five grandchildren, Garret, Adisen, Alyssa, Bogdan and Rolan; a sister, Carol (Richard) Brock of Muncie, Indiana; three brothers, Brian (Debbie) Eckelbarger of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Ramil (Svetlana) Baimuratov of Ufa, Russia and Steven (Ying) Eckelbarger of Ocoee, Florida; several nieces and nephews, as well as countless other friends and loved ones.

In addition to joining his Heavenly Father, Dave has also been reunited with his parents; Virgil and Betty (Arthur) Eckelbarger; in-laws, Fahil and Flura (Gubaidullina) Baimuratov; paternal grandparents, Burvia and Ruth (Malott) Eckelbarger and maternal grandparents Earl and Marie (Taylor) Arthur.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held this fall in Gas City, Indiana. Specific details will be shared by the family at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.