Robert N. Eckel Obituary (1942 - 2011)

GUTHRIE -- Robert N. Eckel, 69, Guthrie, died at 12:13 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 29, 2011) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Southside Cemetery, Pontiac, with the Rev. Gretchen Stinebaugh officiating. There will be no visitation. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Carle Foundation Hospital Guest House. He was born Aug. 23, 1942, in Pontiac, son of Andy and Irene Scurlock Eckel. He married Vickie Rollind on Oct. 16, 2003, in Urbana. She survives in Guthrie. Also surviving are son, Robert Eckel Jr., Machesney Park; daughters, Mary Ann Martin, Machesney Park, and Dianne Williams, Rockford; stepchildren, Stephanie Rollind, Rantoul; Brandon Potts, Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Autumn Rollind, Guthrie; brother, William (Frances) Eckel, Pontiac; sister, Peggy (Jerry) Jones, Pontiac; grandchildren, Tasha Karsten and Jonathon Williams; great-grandchildren, Trenton, Skyler Karsten and Matthew Williams; stepgrandchildren, Monica and Poem Rollind and Noah Potts; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Andrew and Clyde Eckel. Robert had owned restaurants in McHenry and Forrest. He had worked in Bloomington in the packaging industry for 15 years and had worked for Toll Packaging in Gibson City for 11 years. He is a graduate of Pontiac Township High School and attended Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln for two years. Robert enjoyed his family, gardening, remodeling his home, his friends and his two beagles. He was known to be a very compassionate and easy-going person. He was much loved by those who knew him; he will be greatly missed.