Obituaries
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Obituary for Richard R. "Rick" Eckiss
Richard R. “Rick” Eckiss, 70, of Mount Carmel, IL, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 3, 2017 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. He was born on January 1, 1947 in Wabash County, IL the son of Ray and Hazel (Smallwood) Eckiss. Hazel went on to marry Frank Latham whom Rick thought of as a father.
Rick graduated from Mount Carmel High School Class of 1965. Following high school Rick faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force where he served as a tactical aircraft maintenance technician. During his twenty years of service he served during the Vietnam War where he was awarded with Valor, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. During his service he was also decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, the Commendation Medal, Air Medal with 11 Devices, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Rick spent ten years stationed in England where he met and married his wife, Beverley on July 15, 1988 in Ipswich, England. Together they enjoyed twenty eight years of marriage, spending time with their family was very important to them.
Among Rick’s hobbies he was an avid coin collector where he enjoyed going out and finding old coins. He also liked spending time outdoors and loved finding treasures while metal detecting. Rick was a lifetime member of the VFW local post # 4276. He also attended Free Methodist Church in Mount Carmel. He worked as a fabricator at Champion Laboratories. Rick will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Rick will be remembered by his loving wife, Beverley Eckiss of Mount Carmel; son, Brenden Eckiss and fiancé Tabitha Archer of Charleston, IL; daughter, Carmel Duke and husband, Mike of Owensville, IN; four grandchildren, Zoie, Layla, Declan and Braydin Duke; three brothers, Kevin Latham of Mount Carmel, Bob (Sally) Latham of Sandwich, IL and Dick (Doris) Latham of Ava, IL; two sisters, Cheryl (Jody) Gray of Bellmont, and Loretta (Marley) Charlie of Carmi, IL; father in law, Ronald Lawrence; brothers in law, Rodney, Darrill and Dudley Lawrence all of Ipswich, England; sister in law, Amanda Lawrence of Felixstowe, England; many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond Latham and Rodger Eckiss; mother in law, Brenda Lawrence.
Family and friends are invited to gather from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Deron Colgan officiating. Burial will follow with Full Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to the Free Methodist Church, local VFW Honor Guard Post # 4276 or to a charity of your choice. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Rick’s tribute wall, leave condolences and purchase flowers for the Eckiss family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com.
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Rick graduated from Mount Carmel High School Class of 1965. Following high school Rick faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force where he served as a tactical aircraft maintenance technician. During his twenty years of service he served during the Vietnam War where he was awarded with Valor, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. During his service he was also decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, the Commendation Medal, Air Medal with 11 Devices, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Rick spent ten years stationed in England where he met and married his wife, Beverley on July 15, 1988 in Ipswich, England. Together they enjoyed twenty eight years of marriage, spending time with their family was very important to them.
Among Rick’s hobbies he was an avid coin collector where he enjoyed going out and finding old coins. He also liked spending time outdoors and loved finding treasures while metal detecting. Rick was a lifetime member of the VFW local post # 4276. He also attended Free Methodist Church in Mount Carmel. He worked as a fabricator at Champion Laboratories. Rick will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Rick will be remembered by his loving wife, Beverley Eckiss of Mount Carmel; son, Brenden Eckiss and fiancé Tabitha Archer of Charleston, IL; daughter, Carmel Duke and husband, Mike of Owensville, IN; four grandchildren, Zoie, Layla, Declan and Braydin Duke; three brothers, Kevin Latham of Mount Carmel, Bob (Sally) Latham of Sandwich, IL and Dick (Doris) Latham of Ava, IL; two sisters, Cheryl (Jody) Gray of Bellmont, and Loretta (Marley) Charlie of Carmi, IL; father in law, Ronald Lawrence; brothers in law, Rodney, Darrill and Dudley Lawrence all of Ipswich, England; sister in law, Amanda Lawrence of Felixstowe, England; many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond Latham and Rodger Eckiss; mother in law, Brenda Lawrence.
Family and friends are invited to gather from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Deron Colgan officiating. Burial will follow with Full Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to the Free Methodist Church, local VFW Honor Guard Post # 4276 or to a charity of your choice. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Rick’s tribute wall, leave condolences and purchase flowers for the Eckiss family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Richard R. "Rick" Eckiss, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
9
Feb
11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Keepes Funeral Home
1500 N. Cherry
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Funeral Service
Thursday
9
Feb
1:00 PM
Keepes Funeral Home
1500 N. Cherry
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Memorial Contribution
VFW Honor Guard
101 South Market Street
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
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