He was born on Dec. 28, 1943 in Clearfield, a son of the late James W., Jr. and Lois (Havens) Eckley.
Mr. Eckley retired as the general manager of Grice Gun Shop, Clearfield. Previously, he was a part owner and manager of a local loan company.
Mr. Eckley also had a very extensive career with the military, having retired with the rank of General with the Pennsylvania National Guard. He had received three previous appointed commissions, which include serving with the 856th Engineering Company in Punxsutawney, the 644th Light Maintenance Company of Clearfield as the Company Commander and lastly, the Company B 728th Maintenance Battalion, Lock Haven as the Battalion Commander.
Mr. Eckley was a member of the Beaver Valley United Methodist Church, Flinton, the Free and Accepted Mason Lodge #314, Clearfield and was a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Altoona Consistory, the Patton VFW and the Patton Sportsman’s Club.
He had a true love of the outdoors, especially time spent hunting. He was known as being an extremely accomplished marksman.
He is survived by his wife, Carol (Wilkinson) Eckley;
Two children:
James W. Eckley IV and wife June Adamstown, MD
Suzette Eckley Lanse
Two step children:
Dana Yatta and wife Tammie Curwensville
Teresa Sisk Apple Valley, CA
Two grandchildren:
James W. Eckley V and Elizabeth Eckley
A step-granddaughter:
Nichole Marie Yatta
And a sister:
Barbara Cathcart and husband Mike Olanta
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Carla Rowles and a grandson Levi Rowles.
Funeral services will be held at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Curwensville on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Barry L. Weyant officiating. Interment will follow in the Beaver Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery, Flinton.
Military honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the members of the Clearfield Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Posts Honor Guard.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Monday from 6-8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10-11:00 a.m. A Masonic service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Beaver Valley United Methodist Church, 1768 Beaver Valley Road, Flinton, PA 16640.
To sign the online guestbook go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.