Obituary of David Eckelmann

David Clifford Eckelmann, 71, of Moberly, passed away April 20, 2021 surrounded by his family.

David was born May 25, 1949 in Ottumwa, IA to Louis Charles Eckelmann, Jr. and Marilynne McClintock Eckelmann.  He was a graduate of Van Buren High School in Van Buren, MO. David enjoyed growing up in Van Buren and loved spending time on the Current River. In his youth, he attended the Methodist church in Van Buren.

In the early 1970’s, David moved to Moberly where he began working for Norfolk and Western which later became Norfolk Southern. He worked for the railroad for 43 years before retiring.  On August 13, 1978 he married his sweetheart, Denise Hopper.  The two spent seven wonderful years together before she passed in 1985.

David was very big on family!  He treated his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law as though they were his actual siblings.  David spent a lot of time with his buddies who were active in the Knights of Columbus.  In his later years he became more environmentally conscience and enjoyed discussing and debating different scientific theories.  David also really liked food and was a pretty good cook.  While he loved spending time with family, his great passion was for classic cars.  He owned, among others; a GTO, a Thunderbird (which his family can’t quite agree on if it was pink or red) and 65 Ford Fairlane.  He enjoyed reminiscing with friends about his old cars and the memories that came with them. 

David is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Denise. 

He is survived by his children, Amy Denise Mitchell of Independence and David Brandon Eckelmann of Moberly; adored grandchildren, Audrey Denise Mitchell, James Ryan Mitchell both of Independence and Jocelyn Kay Martin of Moberly; siblings, Louis Charles Eckelmann III and wife, Carrie of Moberly, Dixie Lynn Thomas and husband, Franklin E. of Huntsville and Gary Lee Ecklemann and wife, Jan of Mountain Home, AR; his “best friend” and companion for almost 19 years, his cat, Indy; extended family and many good friends.

Services celebrating David’s life will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home with interment to follow at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Memorial contributions in David’s honor are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital c/o Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to the Central Missouri Humane Society, 616 Big Bear Blvd, Columbia, MO 65202.