Obituaries for Saturday 9/1/18

Richard (Dick) Lee Eckhardt, 82, of Burlington, died at 6:40 AM Thursday, August 30, 2018, at his home in Burlington after an extended battle with cancer.

Born October 15, 1935, in Lomax, IL, he was the son of James and Cora Lillian Pershing Eckhardt. On April 12, 1958, he married Ellen Mae Huffaker in Ft. Madison.

Richard was employed for 38 years as a supervisor with Mason Hanger/Silas Mason Company retiring in 1996. In 1997, he began working part-time for the City of Burlington until 2002. He also served one term as city councilman from 1982 until 1985. Dick was a 1953 graduate of Dallas City High School and attended the University of New Mexico for three years. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving from 1953 until 1957.

Richard was a member of Divine Mercy Parish Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus #568 4th Degree, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #150 and Moose Lodge #579. He was active in American Little League Baseball as a manager, assistant manager and player representative. Dick played fast pitch softball, golf and pool. His enjoyment also included watching Hawkeye Athletics along with many NCAA sports. He was a car and airplane enthusiast. Richard had a special place in his heart for spending time with his family and friends.

Dick served on the Parish Council for SS. John and Paul Catholic Church, served on the Notre Dame School Board and also was an usher and lector at church.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen; three sons, Dennis (Annette) Eckhardt of Bettendorf, Jay (Julie) Eckhardt of Ft. Madison, and, Richard (Kristin) Eckhardt of Bettendorf; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and a brother-in-law.

Family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Monday, September 3, 2018, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Eckhardt will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home following the burial.

Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Divine Mercy Parish or Burlington Notre Dame Schools

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Richard’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.