As with his favorite song “I’ll Fly Away”, when I die Hallelujah by and by, heading home is our loving husband and father. Gordon Dean Ecker, 80, a lifetime Marshall County resident, died at his home on N. Michigan Road, Plymouth, at 12 PM on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
Gordon was born in Donaldson on August 2, 1930, the son of Russell and Florabelle Emish Ecker.
Gordon and Esther Marie McIntire were married on December 15, 1950. Together, they raised their family of nine children.
Gordon believed in working hard, and through his many years as V.P. at Whiteford National Lease, he was awarded various accolades from the Trucking Industry. His family, however, was his pride and joy. Being a family with regular Sunday attendance at Blissville Church of the Brethren will always be a special memory of his children.
As he realized he was becoming ill he blessed his family with letters in regards to love, life, and thankfulness to God for his wife and family.
He enjoyed Card Club of younger years, family vacations, watching his grandkids play sports, golfing, and fishing. He was a member of Bass Trackers, and attended Cornerstone Community Fellowship when able.
So take this heart of mine, there’s no doubt. I’m in better hands now.
Devoted to his family he is survived by his loving wife, Esther Marie Ecker, Plymouth, four sons and five daughters. His sons are: Gary Ecker, Lakeville, IN.: Rick (Michelle) Ecker, Wellington, FL.: Randy ( Susie) Ecker, Richmond, IN.: Roger ( Kathy) Ecker, LaPaz, IN.
Gordon’s daughters are: Melody (Jim) Davis, Argos, IN.: Rhonda (Tommy) Schoof, Plymouth, IN.: Rena (Phillip) Cox, Lakeville, IN.; Sheila (Irish) Saunders, Lakeville, IN.: and Shelly (Jeff) Sharp, Plymouth, IN.
He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, 3 brothers Kenneth of Granger; Lou of Mt. Pleasant, MI; Don Sr. of Plymouth; and 1 sister Joyce Baumann of Mooresville, IN.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Mary Ecker, a brother, Larry Ecker and an infant sister.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 1st from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Services for Gordon will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at 2 p.m. in the Blissville Church 6250 Spruce Trail, Plymouth, IN 46563 with calling one hour prior. The Pastor Stephen Cox, of Cornerstone Community Fellowship will officiate.
Memorial gifts in Gordon’s memory may be made to the LaPaz Fire Department, Christmas Decoration Fund 411 S. Michigan Street LaPaz, IN 46537or the Cornerstone Community Fellowship 4291 Michigan Road, Plymouth, IN 46563.
Kim Kyser says
What a great family. My heart goes out to all of you. Thinking of you all.
Mrs. Joan Joyce Music Teacher LaPaz and LaVille says
I send my sympathy to the entire Ecker family. All of you have a special place in my heart, and I will never forget you. Mr. Ecker was the only one in your family that I never met. I\’m sure he must have been a good father with lots of patience to raise such a big family. He was a lucky man to have such a wonderful wife to help him.
May God comfort you and bring you peace.
Marge Skaggs says
Our prayers go out to one of the greatest families in this area. The Ecker family has been in our lives since I was a young girl. I know the sorrow you feel but also the relief that Gordon isn\’t suffering any longer. May peace be with each and everyone of you. You are a strong and closely knit family. Your love and strength will get you though this tough time. Love to all….Marge & Ron Skaggs and family.
Sue Chase says
Larry and I are sharing in your loss of Gordon. We had wonderful business trips together through the years. One of our trips we remember was a trip to California from Chicago in the early 70\’s. It was a good flight and when we got off the plane the look on Gordon\’s face when he saw the pilot was a woman was \”priceless\”. It was like oh my gosh she got us here in one piece. I still smile when I think of that one trip. The other one was when we got to our hotel early somewhere (can\’t remember), and Esther went out to sit in the sun not realizing how windy it was and got burned to a crisp and missed the dinner that night and maybe even the next day that was not funny, but true also. Remember all of your wonderful times with your Dad as a family.
David Whiteford says
Just opened your e-mail. What a trlibute to truely a great man!! I ditto what you said – really missed out on the fishing maybe not the golf! You are part of remarkable and blesssed family who has blesssed ours and many others!
Sallie and I are leaving this morning – God willing we will see you and Mischelle Saturday!!
Keep on keeping on!!
Dave & Sallie Whiteford
Tom Teague says
I am VERY sorry to hear of Gordon\’s Passing. I really admired him in every way. I always tried to hire him. He was the VERRY BEST !!!
Roger and Carolyn Kelly says
Dear Friends,
We extend our sincere sympathy to you. God bless.
Sincerely,
Roger and Carolyn Kelly
Paul Johnson says
Rick,
My deepest Condolences go out to you and your family. I wish i could have meet your Dad, he sounds like a very wonderful man who was loved by many. I know that the loss of a Dad and friend that you had with Gordon will be felt for a long time.
Paul
Joan Fricker says
I am thinking and praying for you all during this time. I know you will miss him, but you can look forward to seeing him again!!!
Joan Freeman Fricker
Pam Adams says
Rick,
So very sorry to hear about your father\’s passing. It\’s always difficult to lose a parent, especially when you are so close. He sounds like a wonderful man, and loved by so many.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Cecil and Pam Wilson says
Dear family;thinking of you in your time of sorrow.
Sheila Sheets says
To the entire Ecker Family
I just wanted to extend my sincere and deepest sympathy for your loss. I have many fond memories of Gordon and your family from a long time ago growing up and working with many of you over the years. Prayers to you during this difficult time.
Sheila Williams Sheets
Fort Wayne, IN
Geno Heyse says
So sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless you all.
Geno Heyse
Brett and Darlene Quigley says
I am so sorry for your loss. Gordon and Rick were great mentors to whom I so thankful for my successful career in transportation. I have many fond memories of business and pleasure activities with Gordon. He was so proud of his great family. Our prayers are with you during these difficult times.
Jim H. McKinnies says
To the family of Gordon,
I\’m so very sorry to hear that Gordon has passed. I use to work at Whiteford Trailer when Gordon work at the Ford store on Western., he use to give me sales tips. Gordon and I stayed in the same room on one of our golf trips to Tenn, he helped me close a deal with a customer on that trip. He got the customer to bet me on a golf game, if I won he would have to purchase 4 flatbed trailers from me, Gordon played that round with me cheering me on all the way to a win. That was a fun day. I will always remember him, I was blessed to have known Gordon Ecker.
May God Bless his family,
Jim H. McKinnies
Steve McKeeby says
Rick,
I never knew your father but if he was anything like you I am sure he was a great man.
Thinking about you during your loss.
Steve McKeeby
Linda Baughman Lester says
Dear Esther and Family,
I was reading Johnson/Danielson web sight asnd saw where Gordon had passed. I was so sorry to read this.
I used to babysit your children when you lived on hwy 6 and just south of Lapaz. I always enjoyed your family. Not long ago my sister and I decided see if we could remember the names of your childred. I remembered all 9 of them. Again, so sorry for your loss and Esther, I hope you are doing well.
Kim Kyser says
What a great family. My heart goes out to all of you. Thinking of you all.
Mrs. Joan Joyce Music Teacher LaPaz and LaVille says
I send my sympathy to the entire Ecker family. All of you have a special place in my heart, and I will never forget you. Mr. Ecker was the only one in your family that I never met. I\’m sure he must have been a good father with lots of patience to raise such a big family. He was a lucky man to have such a wonderful wife to help him.
May God comfort you and bring you peace.
Marge Skaggs says
Our prayers go out to one of the greatest families in this area. The Ecker family has been in our lives since I was a young girl. I know the sorrow you feel but also the relief that Gordon isn\’t suffering any longer. May peace be with each and everyone of you. You are a strong and closely knit family. Your love and strength will get you though this tough time. Love to all….Marge & Ron Skaggs and family.
Sue Chase says
Larry and I are sharing in your loss of Gordon. We had wonderful business trips together through the years. One of our trips we remember was a trip to California from Chicago in the early 70\’s. It was a good flight and when we got off the plane the look on Gordon\’s face when he saw the pilot was a woman was \”priceless\”. It was like oh my gosh she got us here in one piece. I still smile when I think of that one trip. The other one was when we got to our hotel early somewhere (can\’t remember), and Esther went out to sit in the sun not realizing how windy it was and got burned to a crisp and missed the dinner that night and maybe even the next day that was not funny, but true also. Remember all of your wonderful times with your Dad as a family.
David Whiteford says
Just opened your e-mail. What a trlibute to truely a great man!! I ditto what you said – really missed out on the fishing maybe not the golf! You are part of remarkable and blesssed family who has blesssed ours and many others!
Sallie and I are leaving this morning – God willing we will see you and Mischelle Saturday!!
Keep on keeping on!!
Dave & Sallie Whiteford
Tom Teague says
I am VERY sorry to hear of Gordon\’s Passing. I really admired him in every way. I always tried to hire him. He was the VERRY BEST !!!
Roger and Carolyn Kelly says
Dear Friends,
We extend our sincere sympathy to you. God bless.
Sincerely,
Roger and Carolyn Kelly
Paul Johnson says
Rick,
My deepest Condolences go out to you and your family. I wish i could have meet your Dad, he sounds like a very wonderful man who was loved by many. I know that the loss of a Dad and friend that you had with Gordon will be felt for a long time.
Paul
Joan Fricker says
I am thinking and praying for you all during this time. I know you will miss him, but you can look forward to seeing him again!!!
Joan Freeman Fricker
Pam Adams says
Rick,
So very sorry to hear about your father\’s passing. It\’s always difficult to lose a parent, especially when you are so close. He sounds like a wonderful man, and loved by so many.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Cecil and Pam Wilson says
Dear family;thinking of you in your time of sorrow.
Sheila Sheets says
To the entire Ecker Family
I just wanted to extend my sincere and deepest sympathy for your loss. I have many fond memories of Gordon and your family from a long time ago growing up and working with many of you over the years. Prayers to you during this difficult time.
Sheila Williams Sheets
Fort Wayne, IN
Geno Heyse says
So sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless you all.
Geno Heyse
Brett and Darlene Quigley says
I am so sorry for your loss. Gordon and Rick were great mentors to whom I so thankful for my successful career in transportation. I have many fond memories of business and pleasure activities with Gordon. He was so proud of his great family. Our prayers are with you during these difficult times.
Jim H. McKinnies says
To the family of Gordon,
I\’m so very sorry to hear that Gordon has passed. I use to work at Whiteford Trailer when Gordon work at the Ford store on Western., he use to give me sales tips. Gordon and I stayed in the same room on one of our golf trips to Tenn, he helped me close a deal with a customer on that trip. He got the customer to bet me on a golf game, if I won he would have to purchase 4 flatbed trailers from me, Gordon played that round with me cheering me on all the way to a win. That was a fun day. I will always remember him, I was blessed to have known Gordon Ecker.
May God Bless his family,
Jim H. McKinnies
Steve McKeeby says
Rick,
I never knew your father but if he was anything like you I am sure he was a great man.
Thinking about you during your loss.
Steve McKeeby
Linda Baughman Lester says
Dear Esther and Family,
I was reading Johnson/Danielson web sight asnd saw where Gordon had passed. I was so sorry to read this.
I used to babysit your children when you lived on hwy 6 and just south of Lapaz. I always enjoyed your family. Not long ago my sister and I decided see if we could remember the names of your childred. I remembered all 9 of them. Again, so sorry for your loss and Esther, I hope you are doing well.