James A. Eichelkraut, 90, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021 at his home in Des Moines, Iowa.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at the Mueller Funeral home, Ottawa. A private graveside will be in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa.
James was born December 27, 1930 in Ottawa to Fred and Mathilda (Dunnum) Eichelkraut. He was a graduate of Ottawa Township High school and Illinois Valley Community College. Jim worked as a salesman for Keebler’s. He married Sylvia Hemken on June 25, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chenoa. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, CHO Auxiliary.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; two children, Craig (Minnie) Eichelkraut of Huntsville, AL and Gail (Tim) Smith of Urbandale, IA; four grandchildren, Shannon O’Connor, Joel Eichelkraut, Adam Eichelkraut and Dustin Smith; 3 step-grandchildren, Kimberly Hooper, Kara Hooper and Jackie Lewis; and three great-granddaughters, Payton, Jolene and Oakley.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Fred Eichelkraut, Jack Rensch and Richard Eichelkraut; and two sisters, Jane Ohme and Marge Diehl.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
He was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.