Passings 2016, Pg 1

Those We Lost in 2016

Christeen Eckard Eller

14 August 1931 - 26 February 2016s

(Aunt of Wm. David Eckard)

Christeen Eller, age 84, of Lenoir went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 26, 2016 at Autumn Care, Drexel. She was born August 14, 1931, daughter of the late David William Eckard and Delia Jane Bittix [Biddix] Eckard and was a Textile worker and of the Baptist faith.In

addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, J.C. Eller and her twelve brothers and sisters, Thelma Eckard Smith, Louise Gresham, Alvin Eckard, Frank Eckard, George Eckard, Florence Killian, Norene Ingle, Oliver Eckard, Lula Mae Cooke, Clyde W. Eckard, Ernest Eckard, and Barbara Jane Price.Mrs. Eller is survived by her sons, Michael (Mick) Eller, Ronald Eller and Donald Eller all of Lenoir; daughters Vivian Ekard of Hudson and Peggy Craven of Lenoir. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Baron Eller, Kevin Ekard, Kristy Money, Christopher Craven and Renee Eller and five great grandchildren, Brooklyn, Tyler, Paige, Anna and Abigail. The family will receive friends Monday, February 29, 2016, at Mackie Funeral Home from 11:00 to 12:00 PM. The funeral service will follow in the chapel at 12:00 PM. Rev. Richard Via will be officiating Burial will be at Sunset Hills Cemetery.In lieu of flowers the family asked that memorials be made to the American Heart Association 222 S. Church St. #303, Charlotte, NC 28202

Mackie Funeral Home of Granite Falls, NC is serving the family.

Gabriel Michael Rigdon

7 August 1997 - 24 March 2016

(Son of my 1/2-sister, Susan Ost Aldridge; nephew of Wm. David Eckard)

Gabriel “Gabe” Rigdon, age 18, of Arkansas (formerly of Marion), passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 24, 2016 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Gabe was born in McDowell County on August 7, 1997. Family was important to Gabe, and he especially loved spending time with his nephews. He was an avid reader and enjoyed being in the woods. Left behind to cherish Gabe’s memory are his mother, Susan Ost and her fiancé Jamie Adkins

of Marion, and father Bill Ridgon of Chehalis, WA; paternal grandmother, Del Sexton of WA; paternal great grandmother Dora Rigdon of Sylva; a brother, Will Rigdon and wife Heather of Glenwood; two nephews, Skyler and Bryce; and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. A service in honor of Gabe’s life will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 3:00 pm in the chapel of Westmoreland Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Zullo officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm prior to the service, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Mountain Creek Independent Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family at P.O. Box 247, Marion, NC 28752.