William Edgar Penn Eckels (1882-1965)

BOTTARO, ECKELS, ECKLES, GREIMAN, LINE, MELESTER

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:55

October 28, 1882 --- May 17, 1965

Ex-lawmaker W. E. Eckles dies at Britt

BRITT — W. E. (Penn) Eckles, 82, former state representative from Hancock County, died Monday morning at a Britt hospital.

Eckles, a native of Pennsylvania, was state representative from 1946 until 1954.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Britt Methodist Church, with the Rev. Warren Paige officiating. Burial will be in the Goldfield Cemetery. The Grupe Funeral Home, Britt, is in charge of arrangements.

Eckles was born Oct. 28 1882, at New Kingston, Pa. He came to Iowa in 1902 and farmed near Goldfield until 1917 when he moved to a farm northwest of Britt.

Besides his stint in the House of Representatives, Eckles also served on the Hancock County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, was on the county board of review, was a trustee of the Britt Methodist Church and a director of the Hancock County Mutual Insurance Assn. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and a Mason for 50 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. M. F. (Louise) Greiman, Garner, and Mrs. Alfred (Inez) Bottaro, West Covina, Calif.; a son, Forest, Britt, two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Line, Westchester, Pa., and Mrs. Anna Melester, Lancaster Pa., five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Globe-Gazette --- Mason City, Iowa
May 17, 1965

***

Eckles, Former Legislator, Dies

BRITT, IA. (AP)—W. E. (Penn) Eckles, 82, former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, died Monday at a Britt hospital.

Eckles who farmed northwest of here for 48 years, was a state representative from 1946 to 1954. He was a Republican. Before moving to the Britt area he farmed near Goldfield.

Survivors include a son, two daughters and two sisters.

Des Moines Tribune --- Des Moines, Iowa
May 17, 1965

***

[Transcriber’s Note: Obituaries transcribed as published. The deceased’s surname was taken from his U. S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for William Edgar Penn Eckels. Registrant’s signature: Penn Eckels, September 12, 1918 and his U. S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942. Registrant’s signature: William Edgar Penn Eckels. Gravestone Inscription: Eckels.]