David J. Eckel, 81, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away December 15, 2022 with his family by his side. He was born in a farmhouse in rural Bowling Green on February 17, 1941, the 2nd child of seven to the late J. Howard and Marguarite (Dick) Eckel. He married Donajean Spoerl on July 1, 1961 and she survives in Bowling Green.
Dave was a 1959 graduate of Bowling Green High School. He was a 3rd generation farmer on a Century Farm and actively farmed until he was 80. He lived & farmed his entire life within a quarter mile of where he was born. Dave raised tomatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, cucumbers corn and wheat.
He was a lifetime member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bowling Green, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served on the Luckey Farmers Board for 9 years. Dave loved spending time with his family in Northern Michigan where he always enjoyed snowmobiling along the peaceful Jordan River Valley.
Dave will be remembered as hard working and generous. He was a man of honesty and integrity.
Along with his wife of 62 years, Donajean, Dave is survived by his children Jodi (Tim) Moughamian of Bowling Green, Kathleen (John) Wachholz of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Suzanne (Steve) Johnson of Bowling Green and John (Cyndi) Eckel of Bowling Green and grandchildren Mark Moughamian, Nathan Moughamian, Simon Wachholz, Alex Wachholz, Stephanie Johnson, Drew Eckel and Dylan Eckel. He is also survived by his siblings Dick (Pat) Eckel, Dan (Chris) Eckel, Sister Diana Lynn Eckel, OSF, Darlene (Joe) Minnick, and Debbie Wilson
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Bruce Wilson.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday December 20, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St. A scripture service will begin Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday December 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 150 S. Enterprise St. Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Father Tom McQuillen will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green.
Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to St. Aloysius Catholic Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the Eckel family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
