OBITUARIES

ANDREW L. ECKHARDT, 48, of O’Fallon, born May 13, 1960 in Wichita Falls, Texas, died Wednesday, July 16. In 1999, Andy retired as a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force. He was employed as an aircraft mechanic for Flight Express at Parks Airport in Cahokia. He was a member of the VFW Fischer-Sollis Post 805 and was ordained as a deacon by the Aaronic Priesthood on July 16, 1972 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Ray and Mary Grace, nee Kistler, Eckhardt. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca “Becky” J., nee Blankenship, Dale-Eckhardt of O’Fallon, stepmother, Fay Smithson of Mona, Utah, two stepsons; Michael (Becky) Evans of Belleville, Ryan (Erin) Dale of San Diego, Calif, a brother, Billy (Angie) Eckhardt of Spanish Fork, Utah, twin brother, Randy (Iva) Eckhardt of Cabot, Ark., a sister, Sherry (Randy) Baker of Salt Lake City, Utah, a grandson, Jordan Evans of Belleville, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.schildknechtfh.com. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Schildknecht Funeral Home, 301 S. Lincoln Avenue, O’Fallon. There will be a VFW service at 6:00 pm. Funeral service will be held Monday, July 21, at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Patrick Durkee officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.