COLUMBUS
George Seawright Eckerly, 94, passed peacefully into the arms of God on December 12, 2017, in Columbus, Indiana.
He was born July 18, 1923, to George H. Eckerly and Helen (Seawright) Eckerly in Indianapolis, Indiana.
George was a U.S. Army combat veteran of World War II who fought at Iwo Jima.
While training at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, he met his future wife, Stella McDonough.
A 1941 graduate of Columbus High School, he completed his education following the war at Purdue University in 1949, earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree.
In 1950, George and Stella were married in Boston, Massachusetts. They located in Columbus where they raised four children and were active in the community. They were married for 59 years.
George’s entire working career was with McKee Engineering Company of Columbus and Marianna, Florida, from where he retired in 1988 as past president and chairman of the board.
He was a member of St. Columba and St. Bartholomew Catholic Church parishes, where he served in many roles including Parish Council President.
He was a life member of Theta Tau fraternity, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was active in Kiwanis and Rotary service clubs.
He was also active in the American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers (ASTME) having served as chairman of the Central Indiana chapter. and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
His memory is cherished by four children, Edward Eckerly (wife, Vivian), Anne Eckerly Lazarz (husband, Larry), John Eckerly (wife, Dawn) and Susan Eckerly (husband, Terrence O’Donnell); nine grandchildren, Jodi Rivera (husband, Mike), Jennifer Eckerly Avila (husband, Ramiro), Jill Brown (husband, Matt), Joe Eckerly (wife, Jessica), Julie Griessmeyer (husband, Clayton), Peter Lazarz (wife, Elizabeth), Gregory Lazarz, Carol Eckerly (husband, Mridul Aanjaneya), and Brian Eckerly; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella Eckerly and a sister, Nancy Gambon.
The Eckerly family expresses a special thank you and much appreciation to the staff and nurses of Silver Oaks Health Campus and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father James Brockmeier at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Monday, December 18. A private burial service will be at Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery. There will be no visitation; family will greet friends at the church before the service beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201 (visit website for instructions).
Services are entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. www.jewellrittman.com.
