Richard Verle 'Pudd' Eckler
(June 11, 1942 ~ June 07, 2023)
11 June 1942 – 7 June 2023
***
Obituary lovingly written by his family
Whenever Richard Verle Eckler opened his mouth to speak, those who knew him paid attention, as his words were rarely uttered but held great significance.
Richard V. Eckler was born on June 11, 1942, he was a resident of Riverton, Kansas.
He passed away on June 7, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 80.
Richard was born in Galena, KS, to Richard and Rayma Eckler.
After graduating from Riverton High School in 1960, he joined the Navy and later became a member of the Navy Seabees. During the 1970s, he served in the reserves and then transferred to the Army National Guard.
After working for Yellow Freight for 30 years, he transitioned to Coffeeville Community College as an assistant automotive instructor and taught for 15 years before retiring.
Throughout his life, Richard volunteered for the Galena Fire Department and Police Department, as well as the Cherokee County Ambulance Association for 42 years. He was also known for volunteering as Santa for the Fire Department during the holiday season.
In 1985, he married his wife, Debbie Eckler, and they had four children between both of them. His children are Eric Eckler, John Eckler, Greg Eckler, and Perri Jo Bebee. His children remember him as a devoted, patient, and hardworking father and husband.
After retiring, Richard enjoyed playing pool with his son John and grandson Chance. He also spent summer time at Pine Island, where he would go boating, play cards, and hang out with Perri Jo, Bry, Ethan, and Colton, along with his lake family. Eric and he had a great time shooting guns together. Richard, lovingly referred to by his grandchildren as Pops, was an avid adventurer, even well into his 70s. With his son Greg and daughter-in-law Stephanie, he explored new and exciting places by zip-lining and rafting the rapids. Pops' daily go-to attire was overalls, except when he was on the golf course. Whenever he was at home, he could be found watching either an old western or the golf channel, with his great-granddaughter Freya sitting on his lap.
His family extends to 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his parents Richard and Rayma, sister Roselle Ochsenbein, and grandson Jackson.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and his children Eric, John, Greg, and Perri Jo.
The memorial service for Richard Eckler, a beloved Veteran, will take place at Derfelt in Galena, Kansas.
A night for family and friends will occur on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 from 5-7 PM, we will be celebrating his 81st birthday.
The service will commence on Monday, June 12th, 2023 at 10 AM with a graveside ceremony afterward at Oakhill [Oak Hill] Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Chance Eckler, Bry Bebee, Ethan Bebee, Adam Anderson, Micah Martin, John Eckler; Honorary Pallbearer: Colton Bebee
~*~
*~*
(June 11, 1942 ~ June 07, 2023)
11 June 1942 – 7 June 2023
***
Obituary lovingly written by his family
Whenever Richard Verle Eckler opened his mouth to speak, those who knew him paid attention, as his words were rarely uttered but held great significance.
Richard V. Eckler was born on June 11, 1942, he was a resident of Riverton, Kansas.
He passed away on June 7, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 80.
Richard was born in Galena, KS, to Richard and Rayma Eckler.
After graduating from Riverton High School in 1960, he joined the Navy and later became a member of the Navy Seabees. During the 1970s, he served in the reserves and then transferred to the Army National Guard.
After working for Yellow Freight for 30 years, he transitioned to Coffeeville Community College as an assistant automotive instructor and taught for 15 years before retiring.
Throughout his life, Richard volunteered for the Galena Fire Department and Police Department, as well as the Cherokee County Ambulance Association for 42 years. He was also known for volunteering as Santa for the Fire Department during the holiday season.
In 1985, he married his wife, Debbie Eckler, and they had four children between both of them. His children are Eric Eckler, John Eckler, Greg Eckler, and Perri Jo Bebee. His children remember him as a devoted, patient, and hardworking father and husband.
After retiring, Richard enjoyed playing pool with his son John and grandson Chance. He also spent summer time at Pine Island, where he would go boating, play cards, and hang out with Perri Jo, Bry, Ethan, and Colton, along with his lake family. Eric and he had a great time shooting guns together. Richard, lovingly referred to by his grandchildren as Pops, was an avid adventurer, even well into his 70s. With his son Greg and daughter-in-law Stephanie, he explored new and exciting places by zip-lining and rafting the rapids. Pops' daily go-to attire was overalls, except when he was on the golf course. Whenever he was at home, he could be found watching either an old western or the golf channel, with his great-granddaughter Freya sitting on his lap.
His family extends to 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his parents Richard and Rayma, sister Roselle Ochsenbein, and grandson Jackson.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and his children Eric, John, Greg, and Perri Jo.
The memorial service for Richard Eckler, a beloved Veteran, will take place at Derfelt in Galena, Kansas.
A night for family and friends will occur on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 from 5-7 PM, we will be celebrating his 81st birthday.
The service will commence on Monday, June 12th, 2023 at 10 AM with a graveside ceremony afterward at Oakhill [Oak Hill] Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Chance Eckler, Bry Bebee, Ethan Bebee, Adam Anderson, Micah Martin, John Eckler; Honorary Pallbearer: Colton Bebee
~*~
*~*
Richard Verle 'Pudd' Eckler
(June 11, 1942 ~ June 07, 2023)
11 June 1942 – 7 June 2023
***
Obituary lovingly written by his family
Whenever Richard Verle Eckler opened his mouth to speak, those who knew him paid attention, as his words were rarely uttered but held great significance.
Richard V. Eckler was born on June 11, 1942, he was a resident of Riverton, Kansas.
He passed away on June 7, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 80.
Richard was born in Galena, KS, to Richard and Rayma Eckler.
After graduating from Riverton High School in 1960, he joined the Navy and later became a member of the Navy Seabees. During the 1970s, he served in the reserves and then transferred to the Army National Guard.
After working for Yellow Freight for 30 years, he transitioned to Coffeeville Community College as an assistant automotive instructor and taught for 15 years before retiring.
Throughout his life, Richard volunteered for the Galena Fire Department and Police Department, as well as the Cherokee County Ambulance Association for 42 years. He was also known for volunteering as Santa for the Fire Department during the holiday season.
In 1985, he married his wife, Debbie Eckler, and they had four children between both of them. His children are Eric Eckler, John Eckler, Greg Eckler, and Perri Jo Bebee. His children remember him as a devoted, patient, and hardworking father and husband.
After retiring, Richard enjoyed playing pool with his son John and grandson Chance. He also spent summer time at Pine Island, where he would go boating, play cards, and hang out with Perri Jo, Bry, Ethan, and Colton, along with his lake family. Eric and he had a great time shooting guns together. Richard, lovingly referred to by his grandchildren as Pops, was an avid adventurer, even well into his 70s. With his son Greg and daughter-in-law Stephanie, he explored new and exciting places by zip-lining and rafting the rapids. Pops' daily go-to attire was overalls, except when he was on the golf course. Whenever he was at home, he could be found watching either an old western or the golf channel, with his great-granddaughter Freya sitting on his lap.
His family extends to 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his parents Richard and Rayma, sister Roselle Ochsenbein, and grandson Jackson.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and his children Eric, John, Greg, and Perri Jo.
The memorial service for Richard Eckler, a beloved Veteran, will take place at Derfelt in Galena, Kansas.
A night for family and friends will occur on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 from 5-7 PM, we will be celebrating his 81st birthday.
The service will commence on Monday, June 12th, 2023 at 10 AM with a graveside ceremony afterward at Oakhill [Oak Hill] Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Chance Eckler, Bry Bebee, Ethan Bebee, Adam Anderson, Micah Martin, John Eckler; Honorary Pallbearer: Colton Bebee
~*~
*~*
(June 11, 1942 ~ June 07, 2023)
11 June 1942 – 7 June 2023
***
Obituary lovingly written by his family
Whenever Richard Verle Eckler opened his mouth to speak, those who knew him paid attention, as his words were rarely uttered but held great significance.
Richard V. Eckler was born on June 11, 1942, he was a resident of Riverton, Kansas.
He passed away on June 7, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 80.
Richard was born in Galena, KS, to Richard and Rayma Eckler.
After graduating from Riverton High School in 1960, he joined the Navy and later became a member of the Navy Seabees. During the 1970s, he served in the reserves and then transferred to the Army National Guard.
After working for Yellow Freight for 30 years, he transitioned to Coffeeville Community College as an assistant automotive instructor and taught for 15 years before retiring.
Throughout his life, Richard volunteered for the Galena Fire Department and Police Department, as well as the Cherokee County Ambulance Association for 42 years. He was also known for volunteering as Santa for the Fire Department during the holiday season.
In 1985, he married his wife, Debbie Eckler, and they had four children between both of them. His children are Eric Eckler, John Eckler, Greg Eckler, and Perri Jo Bebee. His children remember him as a devoted, patient, and hardworking father and husband.
After retiring, Richard enjoyed playing pool with his son John and grandson Chance. He also spent summer time at Pine Island, where he would go boating, play cards, and hang out with Perri Jo, Bry, Ethan, and Colton, along with his lake family. Eric and he had a great time shooting guns together. Richard, lovingly referred to by his grandchildren as Pops, was an avid adventurer, even well into his 70s. With his son Greg and daughter-in-law Stephanie, he explored new and exciting places by zip-lining and rafting the rapids. Pops' daily go-to attire was overalls, except when he was on the golf course. Whenever he was at home, he could be found watching either an old western or the golf channel, with his great-granddaughter Freya sitting on his lap.
His family extends to 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his parents Richard and Rayma, sister Roselle Ochsenbein, and grandson Jackson.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and his children Eric, John, Greg, and Perri Jo.
The memorial service for Richard Eckler, a beloved Veteran, will take place at Derfelt in Galena, Kansas.
A night for family and friends will occur on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 from 5-7 PM, we will be celebrating his 81st birthday.
The service will commence on Monday, June 12th, 2023 at 10 AM with a graveside ceremony afterward at Oakhill [Oak Hill] Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Chance Eckler, Bry Bebee, Ethan Bebee, Adam Anderson, Micah Martin, John Eckler; Honorary Pallbearer: Colton Bebee
~*~
*~*
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