Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Eckardt, John Jacob 1916
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net May 20, 2011, 10:20 pm

Lake Odessa Wave, 21 Jul 1916

The entire community was saddened Friday evening by the news that J. J. 
Eckardt, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and well known and highly 
respected business man and farmer, had succumbed to the intense heat while 
drawing hay on his farm southeast of town.  Apparently in excellent health, he 
went out after supper to help take care of the last load.  Shortly afterward he 
was seen to stagger from the load and slide to the ground, supported by his 
brother Fred who caught him as he fell.  Efforts were made to revive him, but 
all failed; and a few minutes afterward he breathed his last.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon.  Prayer was offered at the house, and 
then the remains were taken to the Evangelical church a few rods distant and 
the usual services conducted.  Rev. W. F. Vogel, the pastor, preached the 
sermon, after which additional addresses were made by W. F. Boettcher of Maple 
Hill, Rev. Geo. Koehler of Grand Rapids and Rev. Thos. Laity of Lake Odessa.  
Music was furnished by a men’s quartette, consisting of Leon T. Gilson, Maurice 
D. Armstrong, Geo. E. Kart and Stanley W. Dann, accompanied by Mrs. L. T. 
Gilson.  The remains were interred in Lakeside cemetery.

The funeral was one of the very largest ever attended in this section.  It is 
said that over three hundred people were in attendance at the grave and that 68 
motor cars were in the procession.  Among those from out-of-town were:  
Gottleib Bessmer and daughters, Mrs. Rehor, Mrs. Pierson, Albert Bessmer, Anna 
McOmber, Olga Bessmer, of Hastings; Jake Stierlie and sister, Mrs. Felcamp, of 
Ann Arbor; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kunz, Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz Kunz, of Grand Rapids, 
and a large number of other friends from Hastings, Nashville, Grand Ledge, 
Ionia and Maple Hill.

Mr. Eckardt was so well known to Wave-Times readers that it is superfluous to 
recount his sterling qualities.  Certain it is that no man ever won a higher 
regard in the hearts of local people than that which he held.  His absolute 
honesty, unfailing kindness and courtesy made him universally loved and 
respected.  A member of the Evangelical church near his home, he had been one 
of its mainstays for years, and in his life could be seen an unwavering 
reflection of its staunch Christian doctrines.  His place may be substituted, 
but never will be filled; and the bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of 
the entire community, which realizes the fullest extent of its loss.

Obituary

John Jacob Eckardt, eldest son of the late Philip Fredrick and Anna Barbara 
Eckardt, was born September 12, 1853, at Ann Arbor, Michigan; and on the 
evening of July 14, 1916, at 5:00 o’clock p.m. he was suddenly and unexpectedly 
summoned from labor to his eternal rest, in the bright and living hope of a 
blessed life beyond this vale of tears, aged 62 years, 10 months and two days.

While seemingly in perfect health and cheerfully engaged in haying on his farm, 
when after enjoying his evening meal in his comfortable farm home, he proceeded 
with his brother and others to load the last load for the season, he was 
suddenly overcome with the intense heat of the day, his heart failed in its 
usual activity, he staggered and fell gliding from the side of the load, 
supported by the arms of his brother.  All efforts by kind hands to revive him 
failed.  His spirit bade adieu to the tenement of clay, and in a few minutes 
his breathless form lay lifeless on the earth.

Mr. Eckardt’s childhood days were spent at Ann Arbor, Michigan, until at the 
age of about four years, his parents removed to Woodland where they founded the 
Eckardt farm homestead, where J. J. grew to manhood, and received his education 
and preparation for a successful business career in the district school where 
later for many years he held the office of school director, being re-elected to 
the same just a few days before his demise.

At the youthful age of 14 he became conscious of sin and the need of Salvation, 
and made a start in the religious life, but did not come to the positive 
conviction, and blessed assurance of pardon and Salvation in Christ until he 
was about 18 years of age under the labors of the sainted Rev. G. Haller.

On the second day of December, 1879, he was united in Holy wedlock with Miss 
May Wagner his now so suddenly bereft and deeply sorrowing companion.

This happy union was blessed with three children, Lewie F. and Fredrick J., of 
Grand Rapids, and Miss Olga M. who resides at the parental home.

Mr. Eckardt was a man of deep and positive religious convictions; as to his own 
experience he could say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He saves me 
and is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him to that day.”  In his 
business career he was industrious and strictly honest in all his dealings.  
His good advice and careful counsel was always in demand in business circles, 
and his services appreciated by his fellows.  

From 1903, when the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Lake Odessa was first 
established, he was honored with its presidency which honor he has held to this 
day.  In his social relations he was a friend beloved among his many friends, 
and highly respected by all who knew him best.

In his church and home life he was industrious, kind-hearted, conscientious 
true to his family and faithful to his church, in which he at different times 
held the various offices and positions of honor, with an ever open hand for its 
support; and though his business relations placed him above the common walks of 
life, he was nevertheless not ashamed to do the humblest service in his 
Master’s cause or even to be door-keeper in the house of God.

In him his companion loses an affectionate husband, the children a loving 
father, his many friends a true hearted friend and church one of its most 
faithful members.

He leaves besides his sorrowing wife two sons, one daughter and two 
grandchildren, an aged mother, five sisters, one brother and a large circle of 
relatives and friends to mourn their loss in his sudden departure; but 
hopefully looking forward to a blessed reunion in the Spirit World.


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