John Edward ''Eddie'' Eck, Sr.

John Edward “Eddie” Eck, Sr., 90, of Springfield, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Monday, February 11, 2002 at St. John’s North. John was born July 16, 1911 the son of Frank Albert and Ida Evans Eck in Alexander, IL. He married Jewelle DeFrates September 25, 1934. John owned and operated the Grand Inn at MacArthur Blvd. and Ash St. from 1936 until he sold the business in 1963. At this time he also sold the family farm, which he operated since 1947. He was employed first by Gerber Cleaners, then Tom’s Peanuts, Chesty Potato Chips and Watts Drug Store before finally working for AAA Laundry until his retirement. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church where he was an usher for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife: Jewelle; five children: Rev. John E. Eck C.S.V. of Chicago, Patricia A. (husband, Douglas M. ) Precht of Decatur, Eldon W. (wife, Suzanne) Eck of Riverton, Donald M. Eck of Tigard, OR, Richard A. (wife, Debbie) Eck of Tulsa, OK; one brother: Emerick “Pete” Eck of Alexander; one sister: Bernice Gard of Casselberry, FL; twelve grandchildren: Bobby (wife, Brenda) Heimlich of Glenarm, Michael (wife, Kim) Eck of Springfield; Tammy (husband, John) Dozier of Springfield; Brenda (husband, Dave) Sharpe of Rochester; Brian (wife, Jenny) Eck of Chatham; Natalie (husband, Kraig) Weninger of Beaver Creek, OR; Heidi (husband, Brian) Griffith of Portland, OR, Roger (wife, Kathy) Eck of Portland, OR, Robyn (husband, David) Funk of Norman, OK, Wayne (wife, Theresa) Pinney of Dix, IL, John Pinney of Riverton; Bill (wife, Jan) Pinney of Springfield; twenty-eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren Friends may call at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2002 with a wake service at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2002 at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Reverend John Eck C.S.V celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Oak Terrace Activity Department 1750 W. Washington, Springfield, IL 62702 or St. John’s Hospital Hospice Program, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Oak Terrace Healthcare Center for the excellent care and compassion afforded to our father and to our family over the past year. A special thanks to St. John’s North Hospice staff for providing care with dignity in dad’s last days and for giving emotional and spiritual support to the family. The family of John Edward “Eddie” Eck, Sr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.