Earl C. Eckert

Earl C. Eckert, 98, of Waterloo, IL, died April 24, 2026, at his home in Waterloo, IL.

Mr. Eckert was a son of the late Richard and Anita (nee Mueller) Eckert. He was born on December 18, 1927, on his family’s farm in Millstadt Township, Ill.

He married Gustavia (nee Hauptfleisch) Eckert in 1949. She preceded him in death in 2008.Mr. Eckert was a farmer for whom the poem “So God Made a Farmer,” by noted 20th century radio commentator and news columnist Paul Harvey, could have been written. He was a “caretaker” of his crops, his family and his critters; ‘’willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town to…a meeting of the Farm Bureau.” (He belonged to the Monroe County Farm Bureau for more than 60 years.)

Mr. Eckert, who attended the Saxtown School on Upper Saxtown Road, lived his entire life within five miles of the Bohleysville Road farm on which he was born.

He found contentment working in his fields, tinkering with his farm equipment and spending time with his family. For relaxation, he enjoyed resting in his favorite chair, watching programs on the RFD TV channel.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Eckert was preceded in death by his son Glen, his brothers, Roy and James, and their wives, Ardell and Mary, and by a nephew through marriage, James Touchette.

He is survived by his daughters, Marlou (Mark Raeber) Eckert of Millstadt and Diane (Ken) Kern of Waterloo, and his daughter-in-law Nancy (friend Randy Battas) Eckert of Waterloo.

Also surviving are grandchildren and great grandchildren: Angela (William) Wirth, Nora and William of Waterloo; Casey (Jean) Eckert, Sophie, Ellie and Maggie of Afton, Mo.; and Kendal (Grant) Simon and Deklan of Gowrie Junction, Australia.

Surviving too, are a niece, Royanne Touchette, and a nephew, Randy (Donna) Eckert, all of Millstadt, Ill., along with great nephew Patrick (Elizabeth Schrader) Touchette of New Athens, Ill., and great niece Ann(Michael) Palfy and Odin of Vancouver, Wash.

He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo, Monroe County Farm Bureau, and he was a lifelong farmer.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:
St. Paul United Church of Christ - Waterloo or Millstadt Senior Center

Visitation:
9 AM to 11 AM Friday, May 1, 2026 at St. Paul United Church of Christ - Waterloo in Waterloo, IL

Funeral Service:
11 AM Friday, May 1, 2026 at St. Paul United Church of Christ - Waterloo in Waterloo, IL
 Rev. Kyle Timmons officiating
Interment will follow at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo, IL