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Donald L. Eckel
Born: 9/21/1937
Died: 7/20/2023
Age: 85
Community: Flint, MI
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ECKEL, Donald L. – Of Flint, age 85, died Thursday, July 20, 2023 at his residence.
Funeral service will be held 11am Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 7234 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc. Reverend Cassie Todd officiating.
Visitation 11am-8pm Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Donald was born on September 21, 1937 in Hadley, Michigan to his parents Lorain and Irene Eckel at his grandmother's house. Don attended Lapeer High School, Class of 1956. He joined the United States Marines shortly after graduation and he will let you know exactly 2 years 11 months and 27 days.
Mr. Eckel was employed by Flint Osteopathic Hospital/Genesys Regional Medical Center for 41 years as a driver and grounds-keeper, retiring in 2003. There was nothing pretentious about Don. He was a "what you see is what you get kind of guy".
He loved the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing working the grounds at the hospital and most of all, his cabin up north. He enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, euchre and Skip-Bo. In spring and summer he was landscaping, making the grounds beautiful at the hospitals with trees and flowers.
In the winter, Don was sometimes known as the Tasmanian Devil behind the wheels of the snow plow keeping the emergency drive and parking lots clear in the winter. His favorite movie channel had to be the Weather Channel to help him arrive at the hospitals any time of the day or night.
He and his brother Larry could be little rascals and sometimes big rascals, terrorizing Hadley and Hadley Hills. They have many stories to tell but maybe some not. He and his 3 brothers were a foursome to draw to when they were together. He loved his two daughters dearly and have had many fun times with them over the years.
He is survived by his two daughters, Celisa (C.C.)(Curt) Ross and Daphne (Doug) Belleville;
grandchildren, Nikki, Devin and Dustin;
6 great-grandchildren;
brothers, Larry (Roberta), Ron (Bobbie), Jeff (Debbie) Friend;
Life Partner, Karen Michelson and her family, David and Peggy Vermeesch, David and Donalee, Paul and Lydia;
as well as many friends and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorain and Irene Eckel and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Our deepest appreciation to those who cared for him and supported us, Dr. E James Daros and staff; nurse and aides, Paige, Olivia and Tan; The Campioni and Michelson family; Pastor Nathan Allen, Reverend Cassie Todd and our Holy Spirit Church Family, neighbors and friends.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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7/24/2023 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
| Visitation 11am-8pm Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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7/25/2023 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
7234 Fenton Road
Grand Blanc, MI 48439Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Rev. Cassie Todd |
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