WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Earl J. Eicher, age 74, of rural Burr Oak, passed away, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, at his home, after an extended illness.
Earl was born Jan. 2, 1937, in Burr Oak, a son of the late Joseph P. and Katherine (Kauffman) Eicher.
Earl had lived in rural Burr Oak all his life. He graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1955.
On Oct. 14, 1956, he married Patricia L. Miller in Middlebury, Ind.
Earl retired from Finnerman’s Valley Irrigation in 2005. He also had farmed and raised all natural beef for 37 years.
Earl was a member of the Pilots Association of Three Rivers. He was instrumental in starting a church, Grace Christian Fellowship, in Sturgis, in which he had been an elder from the beginning. Before that, he was president of the Sturgis chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia L. Eicher of Burr Oak; a son, John (Roeleta) Eicher of Middlebury, Ind.; a daughter, Crystal (John) DiBiosso of Jackson; four grandchildren; a sister, Esther Wolf of Burr Oak; a brother, Ernie (Loretta) Eicher of Burr Oak; and 22 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Deanna Eicher; and two sisters, Jean Eash and Joan Eash.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with Luke Eicher officiating.
Burial will follow at Locust Grove Cemetery in Findley. Memorials may be made to the family. The family was assisted by Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.
