John Robert Eckstadt, Sr. Obituary (1916

John Robert Eckstadt Sr., was born May 30, 1916 in Chicago, IL the son of George and Emma Eckstadt of Evanston, IL. He served in the Marines during WWII in Air Combat Intelligence in Okinawa. He was an employee of Kilgore News Herald from 1955 - 1966 and the U. S. Postal Service in Kilgore from 1966 - 1988. He enjoyed reading, sketching, and Ham Radio. He was proud to have been a Marine. He died November 24, 2005. John and Ila were married on April 8, 1946 in Chicago, IL. They are survived by two daughters: Bonnie Shaw (Howard Shaw), McKinney, TX; Janet Boaz, Longview, TX; son John Robert Eckstadt, Jr. (Gaynelle Beall), Kilgore, TX; six grandchildren: Sandra Woodard Mastali (Dr. Reza Mastali), Celebration, FL; Lisa James, McKinney, TX; Robert James (Jennifer James), Allen TX; John Robert "Trey" Eckstadt III (Michelle Contreras), Kilgore, TX; Michael Boaz, Longview, TX and Laura Eckstadt, Kilgore, TX; five great granddaughters: Arianna Mastali and Natalie Mastali, Celebration, FL; Madison Boaz, Longview, TX; Camryn James, Allen TX; and Jezlynn Eckstadt and John Robert Eckstadt IV, Kilgore, TX. Step-Grandchildren Stacia Beall Howard ( Jaxson Howard), and Branton Beall. Step-Great Grandchildren, Ryker Beall and Layla Howard. John and Ila are survived by several nieces and nephews in Texas, California and Washington as well as many cousins in the Shelby County, IL area. Funeral Information Graveside memorial services for John R. and Ila L. Eckstadt of Kilgore, TX will be held Tuesday, June 29, 2010 in Tower Hill Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Terry O'Brien officiating. Military rites for John will be by VFW/American Legion/AmVets Honor Guard, Pana.