JIM ECKMAN's Obituary
PERRY –
James Carlyle “Jim” Eckman, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 18, 2023, after an extended illness. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church with the Funeral immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Pastor John Lehenbauer is officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Christ Lutheran Church - Thee Lord’s Table, 208 Langston Road, Perry, GA 31069.
Jim was born on September 14, 1941, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to the late Waldamor Gustaf and Astrid Larson Eckman. He graduated from Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Illinois, in the Class of 1959. While a student at the University of Illinois, he married the love of his life, Marva Piepenbrink, whom he had known since first grade, on June 23, 1962. Jim graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the spring of 1964. After Graduation, Jim worked as a mechanical engineer for various companies in Texas and Tennessee, before accepting a position with Pabst Brewing Company in Perry, Georgia. He enjoyed many years of working as the Plant Engineer at the brewery with his friends. When the facility in Perry was sold, Jim was transferred to the corporate office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and remained an employee with them until the entire Pabst Corporation was sold. After which, Jim joined Pekin Energy in Pekin, Illinois, until he retired after fifteen years of service. Upon his retirement, Jim and Marva would move one final time - back to Perry, Georgia, to live near their children and grandchildren. Once back in Georgia, Jim worked for five years as a Mechanical Engineering Consultant to companies building ethanol plants. Through the years, Jim was an avid golfer, spent a great deal of time working in his yard, and enjoyed vacations cruising to various islands and countries. He loved spending time with his family, gathering for meals, and playing cards. Affectionately known as “GPa”, his grandchildren brought him so much joy. Jim’s greatest passions were his relationship with the Lord and his family. He was a charter member of Christ Lutheran Church. Jim will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Bill Schultz; and a grandson, Noah Eckman.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Jim are his loving and devoted wife of sixty-one years, Marva Piepenbrink Eckman of Perry; his sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Jenny Eckman of Hamilton, GA, Curt and Vickie Eckman of Perry, Craig and Cynthia Eckman of Woodstock, and Troy and Jennifer Eckman of Niskayuna, New York; nine grandchildren, Katie Eckman, Abbey Eckman, Taylor Eckman Connelly (Taylor), Melissa Eckman Wenger (Collin), Justin Eckman, Lydia Eckman, Rebekah Eckman, Samuel Eckman, and Isaiah Eckman; his great grandchildren, Sage Connelly and Calum Wenger; his siblings, Warner Eckman (Jan) of Burlington, NC, Carolyn Schultz of Perry, and Tom “T.J.” Eckman (Janie) of Charlottesville, VA; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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