Leslie O. "Les" Eckenrod, 79, of Nashua, passed away Friday morning, May 30, 2003 at the New Hamptom Care Center of natural causes.
Les was born on May 4, 1924 on the family farm east of Nashua in Richland Township to Leonard and Cleo (Tucker) Eckenrod.
Les attended the Republic Country School through the eighth grade. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1942. From 6th grade through high school, Les stayed with his grandmother, Mary Eckenrod, on a neighboring farm and did chores. After graduation he was employed at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo. He was stationed at North Camp Polk, Louisiana serving with the 8th Armored Division. Les was sent overseas in November, 1944 to the European Theater of War where he continued serving as personal chauffaeur for Col. Y. D. Vesely throughout his tenure there. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star. He served as Sgt. with the U. S. Army in Europe during WWII (1943-1946). He was honorably discharged in January, 1946.
On November 9, 1947 he married Fern Healey at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. He was a devoted husband and father and delighted in his grandchildren. He enjoyed the many family gatherings through the years. He loved children and dogs. His favorite hobby, fishing, brought him much pleasure. In later years, as long as he was able, he enjoyed his daily walks and visits with friends along the way. His positive attitude and smile endured throughout an extended illness, endearing him to all. He was employed at the Waterloo Silo Co., Shield Bantam in Waverly, and later was a self-employed carpenter, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Nashua V. F. W. Post #6792.
He is survived by his wife, Fern; a son, Ron (Jane) Eckenrod of New Hampton; two daughters, Cheryl (Gene) Niewoehner of Sumner and Kae (David) Courtney of Nashua; eight grandchildren, John (Melissa) Eckenrod, Jennifer (Rudy) Bouillon, Zachary Eckenrod, Lucas Eckenrod, Elizabeth Eckenrod, Laura Niewoehner and Jacob Courtney; three great-grandchildren Chelsie Bouillon, Ashton Bouillon and infant Bouillon; four brothers, Robert (Fonda) Eckenrod and Kenneth (Mabel) Eckenrod, all of Waterloo, Richard (Lorraine) Eckenrod of Charles City and Jerry (Diane) Eckenrod of Belle Plaine; three sisters, Mary Lou (bob) Haaker of Flippen, Arkansas, Pat Schwartzkopf of Charles City and Shirley Eckenrod of Muskego, Wisconsin.
Lee was preceded in death by a son, Michael, on October 29, 2001; his parents; and a brother, Donald Eckenrod.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2003 at the United Methodist Church in Nashua. Pastor Marion Sindt officiated. Nelda Shepard was organist and Gene Niewoehner was vocalist. Casketbearers were: Jim Eckenrod, Kerry Eckenrod, Robert Eckenrod, Jr., Tom Eckenrod, Keith Eckenrod, Rodney Eckenrod. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery with Military Rites by the Nashua V. F. W. Post #6792.
Hugeback and Chenoweth Funeral Home, Nashua, was in charge of the arrangements.

The death of Mrs. Robert Allen Lewis, 68, occurred at her home on East Logan Street, of this city a 7:45 p.m. Monday, April 8, 1935.

Her death was due to complications of chronic bronchitis of which she had been ill for about ten years. Her last illness began last Thursday evening and she was confined to her bed until death overtook her.

Funeral services will be conducted this (Thursday) afternoon at two o'clock from her home and 2:30 at the Baptist Church. Reverend W.W. Williams, pastor, will officiate. Burial is to be made in Graceland Cemetery here.

The pallbearers are as follows: Dr. P.E. Gardner, J.L. Crawford, Will Reborst, Sam Greenwald, Fred Bearman and A.J. Pierson.

Elizabeth Arrabelle Eggleston, a daughter of Isaac and Laura Eggleston, was born July 12, 1866 in Washington township, Chickasaw County, Iowa. She attended the rural schools of Chickasaw County and on July 25, 1883, she was united in marriage with Robert Allen Lewis, in ceremony read at the home of her parents. The couple resided in New Hampton practically all of the time since marriage. Mr. Lewis passed away December 29, 1917.

To this union two children were born, both of whom survive. They are Mrs. Roy Beeder of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Mrs. J.R. Venem of New Hampton. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Mrs. Alfred Reinhart of Cresco and Richard Venem of New Hampton, and one great grandchild, Jewell Ann Reinhart of Cresco, Mrs. David Moetsch, Ora Eggleston, Will Eggleston and Joseph Eggleston, all of New Hampton, sister and brothers of the deceased, are also left to mourn her death.

Mrs. Lewis having been a lifelong resident of this county is very well known. Her life was one of kindness and solicitude for those near and dear to her. She was a member of the Baptist Ladies Aid Society until poor health prevented her from participating. We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to the bereaved daughters, sister, brothers and other relatives and friends.

Relatives from a distance expected here for the funeral are: Mrs. Carl Geiler, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fleming of Mason City, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Reinhard and daughter of Cresco, Mrs. and Mrs. Wesley Eggleston of St. Anagar.

And now she sleeps,
Where daisies nod and the clover hangs its head,
Where the birds ever come
And the wild bees hum above her
lowly bed.
She fought the fight.
She kept the faith, her flame shines bright and clear,
And her memory lives in all our hearts, which will hold it ever
dear.

Contributed by a Niece: B. J. Shawd

Died Monday evening Nov 21, 1898, occurred the death of Christian Erion at his home in the city, after a long and painful illness. Mr. Erion was born in Germany and came to America while quite young. He settled first in Illinois and later removed his family to Iowa, making his home on a farm near Alta Vista, where he resided until seventeen years ago when he moved to our city where he has since lived.
Mr. Erion was 54 years of age at the time of his death, and was the father of eleven children, nine of whom with his wife survive him.
The funeral occurred Wednesday from his late home, the services being held at the Lutheran church. Thus has passed away one of the first settlers of Alta Vista, who will be missed by many old friends and neighbors.
The family circle is again broken, and sad are the hearts of those he lived and labored for so many years. All was done that was possible to relieve the sufferer but without avail, and death claimed him for his own. To the sorrowing friends we offer our sympathy. May a kind Heavenly Father comfort and sustain them in this sad hour of affliction.