Richard L. Eckerle, age 88, of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday (December 6, 2016) at St. Charles Health Campus in Jasper, Indiana.
Richard was born in Jasper, Indiana on October 5, 1928 to Anton and Rose (Fink) Eckerle. He married Romilda Eckerle on September 23, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg, IN. She preceded him in death on October 16, 2010.
Richard was co-owner with his brother, Arnold of the Eckerle Dairy which was operated from 1951-1965. He retired as property manager from Kimball International. He was responsible for planning, supervising, and construction of the Kimball Building Program, Kimball Forestry Program, Kimball Corporate Headquarter Maintenance and Kimball Farms.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where he was also Parish Counselor from 1961-1965. He served on the K of C Columbian Home Board for 23 years and was President for 10 years. He was also Grand Knight from 1966-1967 and was Faithful Navigator, Jasper 4th Degree Knight from 1972-1973. He was President of Jasper Jaycees from 1959-1960 and was President of the Jaycees Associate Members Club from 1980-1982. He served on OEO Tri-Cap Board for 15 years and was President for five years. He served on Jasper Little League Board for 10 years and was President for two years. He also served as President of the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Building Corporation.
He served as Dubois County Commissioner from 1961-1970 and was President for eight years. He served as County Councilman from 1974-1982 and was President for six years; he again served from 1991-2004, and was President from 1993-2004. During that time he was involved in making the South Newton Street and North Mill Street extensions a reality. He served as President of both the Indiana County Commissioner Association and the Indiana County Councilman Association. He was President of the Association of Indiana County Officials in 1970. He served on the Indiana Local Government Study Commission from 1977-1980. He served on the Indiana Long Term Highway Finance Study Commission from 1977-1978. He served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1972 and 1976. He served on the Dubois County Health Board for 12 years. He served on the Shawnee Trace Private Industry Council for 10 years. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Indiana Local Government Property Tax Control Board; his service ended in 2004.
He was a recipient of several Jaycee Awards, the Jasper Distinguished Service Award in 1961, the Golden Ruler Award presented by the Association of Indiana Counties for dedicated service to County Government in 1970, Jasper High School Alumni of Distinction Award in 1991, Indiana Association of Counties Arthur R. Himsel Award in 1996, Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor Evan Bayh in 1996 and the Jasper Chamber of Commerce President’s Community Excellence Award in 1991.
He enjoyed serving Dubois County. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and IU fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family.
Surviving,
Two sons,
Mark Eckerle, and his wife, Amelia, Indianapolis, IN
Greg Eckerle, and his wife, Brenda, Jasper, IN
Four Grandchildren
Nichole Eckerle Rubright, Jessica and Shannon Eckerle, and Margot Burke
One Brother
Dr. John Eckerle, and wife Margaret, Louisville, KY
Preceding him in death besides his wife are three sisters, Rita Hahn, Dora Schmidt, and Joan Schipp, and three brothers Herb, Bernard, and Arnold Eckerle.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Richard Eckerle will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (December 10, 2016), at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.
Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday (December 9, 2016) at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or a favorite charity.
