John Ecker

Fines Creek - John Franklin Ecker, 85, died on Sunday, February 2, 2020 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

John was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1934 and was the son of the late George Franklin and Marion Eldridge Ecker; he was also preceded in death by his sister, Marlee Juliano. He served his country with honor and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He also worked for New Jersey Transit before retiring after many years of faithful service. John had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed activities such as fishing, camping, and boating. He was also an avid woodworker, snowmobiler and loved to ride motorcycles and ATVs.  He was V.P. of the Smoky Mountain Off Road Vehicle Club of Wayehutta and made many wonderful friends in the Travelers Camping and ATV Club.  John was always willing without hesitation to help his family and friends.  He will be missed dearly by those that knew him.

John is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lu Ann Ecker, of Clyde; two daughters, Diane Turner, and her husband, Tom, of New Hampshire and Susan Buila, and her husband, Vladimir, of Columbia, New Jersey; two sons, John G. Ecker, and his wife, Kim, of Long Valley, New Jersey and David F. Ecker, of Branchville, New Jersey; two brother-in-law’s, Charles Juliano and Robert Brady; a cousin, Malcom Eldridge; grandchildren, Edward J. Turner, and his wife, April, Gretchen Turner, Amanda Turner, Elizabeth and Peter Buila, Jaliese Dolan and Sebastian Ecker; and great-grandchildren, James Thompson, Roy Turner, and Rose Turner; and beloved nieces and nephews, Patty, Tracy, Charlie, Mark, Bobby, Kathy, and Cheryl.

The family wishes to thank Haywood County EMS, Haywood Regional Medical Center and Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation for their wonderful care and compassion.