Memorial graveside service and inurnment for J.L. Eckelberry will be held in the spring at Masonic Cemetery in Jamesport. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jamesport Livestock Association, Jamesport First Responders, or to the donor’s choice in care of McWilliams Funeral Home in Jamesport.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
John Lewis (J.L.) Eckelberry, 78, Jamesport, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City.
J.L. was born Feb. 6, 1939, the son of John V. and Lorraine (Huffman) Eckelberry in Jamesport where he lived his entire life.
He graduated from Jamesport High School in 1957 and attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, where he joined Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He later transferred to Trenton Junior College where he received his associate’s degree.
J.L. joined the Air Force and proudly served his country for four years.
J.L. was united in marriage to Mona McKown in 1966 in Arkansas. The couple made their home in Jamesport and raised their family.
In 1965 J.L. and his father John V. purchased the Perrenoud Construction Company in Kansas City and moved it to Jamesport. In 1972, the name was changed to Eckelberry Service, specializing in welding, storage tank repair, and petroleum maintenance equipment. J.L. and his father worked side-by-side serving the community caring for their customer’s every need. J.L. retired in 2000.
J.L. was community minded, focusing and looking for better ways to improve and move forward. He was always ready to serve whenever called upon.
His many civic endeavors included mayor of Jamesport for several years, a member of the Tri County School Board, Gallatin Senior Citizen’s Board, 59-year member of the Jamesport Masonic Lodge, Masonic Cemetery Board, and member of the Angus Association. He was also a member of the Jamesport Baptist Church.
His dedication to the elderly was apparent. J.L. would take it upon himself to be an advocate for those who needed help. That entailed daily visits to make sure they had what they needed and a friend to lean on; words of encouragement and assisting them in their time of need.
J.L. loved to go to the coffee shop and visit with his friends and sometimes they solved the problems of the world.
J.L. greatly enjoyed tending his cattle and was proud to be in partnership with his grandson, Dustin.
J.L. was a social person who made lasting relationships wherever he went. He was an inspiring example of what dedication to family and community meant.
His infectious smile, and his attitude toward life was inspiring to those who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.
J.L. was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Mona of the home; daughter, Melody (Michael) Duckworth of Kearney; son, Craig (Cynthia) Owen of Chula Vista, Calif.; sister, Deanna Sandy of Gallatin; three grandchildren, Dustin (Angie) Owen of Jamesport, Brittney (Grant) Murphy of Plattsburg, Afton Owen of San Diego, Calif.; three great-grandchildren; Byran and Lexi Wyant and Brock Murphy; one great-great-grandchild, Braelynn Wyant; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
