Ted Eckert, 74

Theodore C. Eckert, age 74, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at his home.
He was born Aug. 1, 1943, in Sturgis, a son of the late Carl and Lenora (Holtz) Eckert.
Ted was a lifelong resident of Burr Oak and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1961.
On Nov. 8, 1968, he married Carolyn Clark at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak.
Ted had been employed by Kirsch Company in Sturgis for 34 years until the closing of the company. He retired from Walmart in Sturgis following 10 years of dedicated employment.
Ted was a longtime active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak and enjoyed fishing, playing bingo, gardening and loved his chocolate lab, Brownie.
Ted was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of SP4.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 49 years, Carolyn; two sons, Robert (Angela) Eckert of White Pigeon and Brad (Shawn) Eckert of Burr Oak; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and expecting his seventh in February; a sister, Pat Blosser of Burr Oak; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Corey Lee Eckert.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak. Funeral services celebrating the life of Theodore C. Eckert will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. The Rev. Kurt Kuhlmann will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak. Full military honors will be conferred by Capt. John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Eckert’s memory consider St. John’s Lutheran Church, 218 W. Main St., Burr Oak, MI 49030.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.