Clarence F. "Diche" Eckley, 93, formerly of 109 Creekside Drive, Tyrone, and a resident of Olivia Village Assisted Living, Tyrone, died Thursday at Epworth Manor, Tyrone.
He was born in Ironville, son of Fredrick and Blanche (McFalls) Eckley. He was twice married, first to Pauline Johnson, who died in 1970. He then married Marian L. Kirkpatrick on Aug. 30, 1971, in Winchester, Va., and she died in 2004.
Surviving are two daughters: Nancy Cowher and husband, Jim, of Swansboro, N.C., and Debra Coady and husband, Russ, of Tyrone; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; two stepsons: Ronald E. Kirkpatrick and wife, Sandy, of Tyrone and David H. Kirkpatrick and wife, Wanda, of Littlestown; six step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers: Kenneth of Philipsburg and Ernest of Tyrone.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tina Showalter; a stepdaughter, Donna Miller; a brother, Gene; and four sisters: Mary Piercy, Florence Harpster, Verna Stouffer and Dorothy Sprankle.
Clarence was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He had been employed at Burley Brothers and Finks Hardware Store and did odd jobs for many people in the Tyrone area. He attended the Tyrone Alliance Church and was a member of the Grazierville Gang. He enjoyed his flowers and working the soil, hunting, fishing and sports, and he was loved by many.
Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, and 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Derman Funeral Home Inc., Tyrone, the Rev. Carl A. Schmidt officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Tyrone Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be at Eastlawn Cemetery.
Contributions in Clarence's memory may be made to the Tyrone Alliance Church, 2103 Adams Ave., Tyrone, PA 16686.
