Passings 2014

Those We Lost in 2014

RICKY DEAN ECKARD

June 27, 1951 - January 23, 2014

(Paternal 1st Cousin to Wm. David Eckard)

Ricky “Rick” Dean Eckard, age 62, of Meadow Creek Drive, Hudson, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Duke Medicine Pavilion. He was born June 27, 1951 in Caldwell County to the late Clyde William and Florence Coffey Eckard.

Mr. Eckard was employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Hickory for 42 years. He had more than 500 customers on his route. He was an avid golfer and was a member of Granada Farms Men’s Association and the Spa Athletic Club in Hickory. He was a member of Dry Ponds Baptist Church, where he taught the Men’s Sunday School Class. He was also a United States Army Veteran serving in Vietnam. Rick was the proud grandfather of his first grandchild born September 20, 2013.

Survivors include his wife and the love of his life, Mrs. Sally Sullivan Eckard of the home; two sons, Jason Eckard and wife Mary Ann of Cornelius and Chase Eckard of Charlotte; step-daughter, Katy Lail of Hudson; one sister, Donna Kanupp of Lenoir; three brothers, Carroll Eckard, Kevin Eckard and Kerry Eckard; and grandchild, Evelyn “Evie” Eckard.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Dry Ponds Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Rick Crouse, Rev. Phillip Latta and Rev. Josh Dellinger. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by Caldwell County Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

The family would like to say a special thank you to family and friends for their love and support, and medical staff of Duke Medical Center for their love, care and compassion over the past six months.

Memorial contributions may be made to Dry Ponds Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 5235 Union Church Rd., Granite Falls, NC 28630.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-

mcelveenfuneralhome.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

PATRICIA GAIL ECKARD MOSTELLER McKENZIE BENTLEY

2/21/1942 - 11/22/2014

(Half-Sister to Wm. David Eckard)

Patricia Gail Eckard Mosteller McKenzie Bentley was born on February 21, 1942 to Frank Eckard and Mary Barber Eckard in Valdese, NC.

Pat, as she preferred to be called, married three times; first to Paul Michael Mosteller (1942-2000) with whom she had her only child, Auby Mosteller, who, along with his wife, Sherry, survives her. Her second marriage was to Randy McKensie and her third was to Howard Bentley.

In addition to her son, she is survived by brother Carroll Franklin of Nebo, NC, and 1/2-brothers William David (wife, Marie) of Henrietta, NC and Thomas Edward of Valdosta, GA. Also surviving are her sisters Fannie Marie Anderson of Granite Falls, NC and Neverta Ann Kuckowski of Decatur, IL. In addition, surviving are three 1/2-sisters, Thelma Eckard Biddix (husb. Grant), Connie Eckard Spencer (husb. Walter), and Susan Ost Aldredge all of NC A grandson, James Mosteller, also survives.

Pat possessed a fun-loving spirit and was always eager to get out and about on some "adventure". Sadly, over the past few years her health sidelined her adventures and she recently moved to an assisted living facility in Cajah's Mountain, NC. Although her health was not perfect, she had been in good spirits and was considered stable/good condition. When she awoke on November 22nd, she spoke with her nurse who saw no signs of distress. Her nurse went to retrieve something for her from her bathroom and, in the few moments it took for her to return, Pat had quietly passed away. She was 72 years old.

Per her wishes, Pat was cremated and her cremains were returned to her son. No memorial services were held. Pat's cremains were interred on property owned by her sister, Fannie Marie Eckard Anderson*, in a location set aside for family burials.

*Marie passed away on 16 January 2015, see her obituary on next page.