Henry Clarence Eckel's Obituary
Mount Pleasant - Henry Clarence Eckel, passed away peacefully in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, November 10th.
Henry was born in Milwaukee on January 25, 1931, to the late Henry and Minnie Eckel. He was united in marriage to Carole M. Haegele on December 22, 1962, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.
Henry proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He retired from Wisconsin Electric where he worked as a fuel equipment operator. Prior to that he spent time at Harnischfeger building cranes, and, in his younger days, he installed boat docks in Texas and other areas of the country.
Henry grew up on a dairy farm in Hales Corners and farming was in his blood throughout his life. His home for 40 years in Sturtevant included 10 acres of land and he enjoyed growing soybeans, field corn, pumpkins, asparagus and a variety of other vegetables. You rarely found a weed in his soybean fields as he would walk each row with his hoe in hand! Animals were also part of the farm and over the years that included steer, pigs, goats and chickens.
Henry loved the Lord and spent hours and hours reading and studying the Bible. After retirement, he discipled prisoners at the Racine prison for over 20 years until age 87. He also led bible studies through his church and volunteered for years at a Racine based Christian charity picking up and delivering furniture to those in need.
Henry and Carole enjoyed traveling in their retirement years and enjoyed trips and cruises to Ireland, New Zealand/Australia, Europe, Mexico and other places in the US. They also had a great time on a 5-week camping trip to Alaska.
Henry is survived by his children: Dave Eckel and Debbie (Dave) Groshek; and his sister, Kathy Wendt.
Henry was preceded in death by his wife Carole; his sisters: Dorothy Knurr and Ruth Peters; and his dear friend, Doris.
A celebration of Henry’s life will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Wilson Funeral Home in Racine at 11:00 AM with Pastor Wilson Deaton officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Henry’s final resting place will be with his wife at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Hospice Alliance (https://www.hospicealliance.org/ or 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158).
The family wishes to thank the staff at Primrose Retirement Community and Hospice Alliance for their outstanding and loving care.
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