84-year-old Fairfield resident Clarence Eldon Eckleberry passed away Sunday, December 8th, 2019 at his residence.
Clarence was born March 6, 1935 in Fairfield, Illinois to George Eldon and Bertha (Headley) Eckleberry. On June 25, 1959 in Norfolk, Virginia he married Gladys McCutcheon and she preceded him in death on March 13, 2015. Clarence was a proud veteran having served 20 years in the United States Navy with tours in Korea and Vietnam. He was a 50 year member of the Fairfield Masonic Lodge as well as a member of the White Shrine and Eastern Star. He retired after having worked as a roustabout for Podolsky Oil Company in Fairfield.
Clarence is survived by one son, Robert Eckleberry of Fairfield and two daughters, Doris (Dennis) Lane of Cisne and Debra (Hank) Bumgardner of Wichita, Kansas; one sister, Betty (Tom) Sprinkle of Quincy, Illinois, daughter-in-law, Linda Eckleberry of West Salem, Illinois; Eight grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) Flowers, Randy Flowers, Nicholas (Ashley) Flowers, Sammy (Angela) Lane, Angie (Nathan) Jones, Denny (Jessica) Lane, Marcy (Danny) Garrett, and Dawn (Ray) Weiss, seventeen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. Preceding Clarence in death were his wife, Gladys, son, George, sister, Mary Smoltich, and brother, Donald Eckleberry.
Masonic services will start at 11:00 am Saturday, December 14, at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield. A visitation will be held after the Masonic service until time of funeral at 1:00pm. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fairfield Memorial Hospital Home Health and will be accepted at Nale’s Funeral Home which is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com.