Obituary of James W. Eckes

James W. “Jim” Eckes, Age 88, of Marshfield passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 surrounded by his family at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. A funeral service will be held at 1PM on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer. The Rev. Mark Krueger will officiate. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in Marshfield with full military rites conducted by American Legion Post 54 of Marshfield. Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday at the funeral home from 11AM until the time of services. The honor of pallbearers for James belongs to his grandchildren. James was born September 23, 1926 in Marshfield to Henry and Mary (Hartl) Eckes. He attended school in Marshfield. Later he joined the United States Army, serving as a Combat Medic during WWII. James was united in marriage to Dorothy (Vandeberg) on July 7, 1951. James and Dorothy have celebrated 63 wonderful years of marriage and together raised seven children. His employment included working at Service Bakery in Marshfield and retiring from Felker Brothers after 26 years. Jim’s hobbies included refurbishing old cars, camping, fishing, and hunting. A fond camping memory is forgetting to bring the coffee pot, Jim said “just dump the worms out of the coffee can and we can use that”, and they did. Taking his grandchildren and great grandchildren fishing was a favorite past time. You could often see him taking the grandkids for rides on the blue plow and the lawnmower, his family was not sure who had more fun, Jim or the kids. Jim liked to find items he could refurbish, he could fix most anything. He loved to tell his family stories of his youthful antics and the “trouble” he got himself into. He was very talented; he could sit backwards on the handlebars of his bike and ride it. He could also stand on his head on the bar and drink a beer. He wasn’t one to show a great deal of emotion but the smirk on his face said it all. Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Marshfield; 6 children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Joanne (Kevin) Walsh of Puyallup, WA; David (Donna) Eckes of Marshfield and their children: Dustin (fiancé Cassandra Schultz) Eckes and Diana (Matt) Ornes and their children: Lailah, Vanessa and Elliott; Barb Eckes of Eau Claire; Rick (Connie) Eckes of Marshfield and their children: Jason Lewer and his daughter Britney, Jamie Lewer and her son Adrian, Cam (Stacy) Melbinger and their children: Riley and Parker; Char Wilson of Hewitt and her children: Eric (Kelly) Wilson and daughter Brianna Varsho and Sara (Jason) Foemmel and their children: Trevor, Alyssa, and Ethan, and Sue (Tom) Peck of Eau Claire and their children Matthew (Rachel), Spencer (Megan) and Jeremiah (Katie). James was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Karen in infancy, brother Cliff and sister Bernadine Krall. In lieu of flowers the family is accepting memorials in James name to a charity to be determined at a later date. Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences. "$#@% damn train!!!!”