Ernest "Dutch" Otto Eckhardt

Ernest "Dutch" passed away on January 20, 2023, in Fallbrook CA as he was wintering there with his niece Sarah Eckhardt. He was buried at the Buffalo Prairie Cemetery on February 7, at a private ceremony. To honor Dutch's wishes to have a remembrance ceremony in warm weather, there will be a visitation from 10:30-11:00 AM with his service following at 11 AM, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 801 W Edgington St, Reynolds, IL. The Masonic service will also be included at that time. After the celebration there will be Praises and Prayers at the Cemetery for anyone wanting to join. Lunch will be served at the Buffalo Prairie Masonic Lodge at the conclusion of the Life Celebration starting at 12:30PM.

Ernest Otto Eckhardt, better known as Dutch, was born May 13, 1924, near Buffalo Prairie, graduating from Aledo High School and attended the University of Iowa. He farmed for a total of 17 years west of Buffalo Prairie. He Married Edna "Eddie" Mae Taylor on February 13, 1950, and had one son, Craig Alan Eckhardt. Dutch and Eddie were married for 64 years until her death in 2014. In 1960 he moved the family to Kansas City, Missouri for 17 years. Working as a Supervisor at Thompson Hayward Chemical Company, manufacturing defoliants used during the Vietnam war. Dutch and Eddie moved to San Marcos, California in 1977 and became managers of the mobile home park where they lived. While there, Dutch was honored by the city of Escondido for saving the life of a 4-year child that fell from a second-floor escalator. In 1989 they retired and moved back to the Eckhardt family farm home. Over the next 20+ years; Dutch worked part time for Rudsell Electric, the Buffalo Prairie Township and was a substitute school bus driver.

Dutch and Eddie were members of the Buffalo Prairie Presbyterian Church. Both served as members in the Eastern Star Buffalo Prairie Chapter 516 and Andalusia Chapter 617. Dutch was an active Mason for 75 years and served in various positions at the Buffalo Prairie Lodge 679.

Father John and mother Rose, along with brother Perry "Pete", brother Richard "Dick" and wife Eddie preceded Dutch in death.

He is survived by his son Craig Eckhardt and his wife Jeannette, grandchildren; Alan Eckhardt, Erica Eckhardt Thompson, Kent Boyer, and Lani Boyer Tocheck, Great grandchildren Lukis & Tristan Boyer, Sieara & Aleah Tocheck, Ashur & Nyx Jo Eckhardt, Reilly and Winston Thompson, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Reynolds. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wheelanpressly.com