Harold Thomas "Tom" Eckler, 81, of Middletown, passed away at 11:35 a.m., Thursday, June 30, 2016 at his home, surrounded by his children.

Mr. Eckler was born May 22, 1935, in Wellsville, Missouri, a son of Roger Ellis Eckler Sr. and Katherine Elizabeth Schumann Eckler.

He was a 1953 graduate of Wellsville High School.

On May 9, 1954 at the Wellsville Methodist Church Parsonage by Rev. Harold Spikelmeyer, he married Barbara Ann Dunn. Tom and Barb shared over 62 loving years together and were the parents of 7 children. They lived all of their married life in Middletown and at their current address since 1969.

Tom had worked at Harbison Walker Refractories in Vandalia as an electrician for over 43 years. He also farmed and had been a full time sheep rancher. Tom loved showing his registered Montadale sheep. He also raised livestock, primarily hogs and cattle.

He was a member of the Middletown Methodist Church. In earlier years, Tom taught Sunday School for pre-schoolers. He had been the former President of the local Union, United Brick and Clay. Tom had also been a member of Tri County Saddle Club. When his children were younger, he coached Khoury League.

Tom always enjoyed watching Norm Stewart and the Mizzou Tigers. He also loved watching his children and grandchildren at their sporting events.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Eckler, of the home in Middletown; seven children and their spouses, Carylle Ann and Harold "Butch" Folta, of Wellsville, Cynthia Eckler "Cindy" and Darryl Kemp, of Wellsville, Donna Sue and Roy Butts, of Middletown, Harold Thomas Jr. and Mari Eckler, of Shelbyville, Howard Todd and Nancy Eckler, of Bowling Green, Diana Lynn and John Heinecke, of Stoutsville and Heath Trent and Katie Eckler, of New London; twenty-one grandchildren and spouses, Sherie Folta, Adrienne (Aaron) Bailey, Jessi (Travis) Belt, Heather Eckler (Eric Frankliin), Audrey (John) Brooks, Gina (Jason) Pollard, Elizabeth (Greg) Booker, Ben (Angela) Eckler, DJ Kemp, Kyle (Stephanie) Eckler, Whitney (James) Estill, Callie (Nicholas) Pfanner, JT Heinecke (Angela Ashby), Ethan Eckler, Kelly Heinecke, Corbin Eckler, Alicia Heinecke, Preston Eckler, Conner Eckler, Quin Eckler and Emerson Eckler; twenty-five great-grandchildren, Presstin, Morgan and Reagan Bailey, Allison Holschen, Andi, Thomas, Cooper and Brody Belt, Kole Franklin, Bria Brooks, Kale, Lane, Mace and Zade Pollard, Blane, Brantley and Bailey Booker, Carissa and Delci Eckler, Ella Eckler, Vance Estill, Aaron, Clara and Riley Pfanner and Weston Ashby; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marjorie May Yelton, of Moberly, Katherine Maxine and Orville Walker, of Buell, Glenda Sue and Jim Angel, of Mexico and George Jacobi, of Wellsville; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Eckler, of Wellsville; in addition to several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Katherine Eckler; sisters, Dorothy Jean Porter and Frances Marie Jacobi and brother, Roger Ellis Eckler Jr.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 3, 2016 at the Myers Funeral Home in Middletown. Rev. Ed Hankinson officiated.

Burial was in Smyrna Cemetery in New Hartford, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were his grandsons, Ben Eckler, Corbin Eckler, Ethan Eckler, Kyle Eckler, JT Heinecke and DJ Kemp. Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren, Sherie Folta, Adrienne Bailey, Jessi Belt, Heather Eckler, Audrey Brooks, Gina Pollard, Elizabeth Booker, Whitney Estill, Callie Pfanner, Kelly Heinecke, Alicia Heinecke, Preston Eckler, Conner Eckler, Quin Eckler and Emerson Eckler.

Visitation was held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions were suggested to Hermann Area District Hospital, Smyrna Cemetery or Families Choice c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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