ECKER

TOD: "OBIT" - John ECKER, 79, 1237 Cass St., died at his home Saturday afternoon. He was born in Brillion and married the former Caroline Pritzl in 1913 in Brillion. The couple resided there until 1942 and were residents of Green Bay since that time. Mrs Ecker preceded him in death in 1964. He had been employed by the Hudson-Sharp Company until his retirement 14 years ago. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of St Mary of the Angels Church and the Musicians' Union. Survivors are three sons; Edmund, Indian River, Michigan; Norbert, Green Bay; Harold, DePere; two daughters; Mrs William (Irene) Straus of Buffalo NY, and Mrs James (Bernice) Riendl, Waukesha, two sisters; Mrs Joseph [Clara] Schuh, Reedsville; Mrs Louis Popp, Neenah, and nine grandchildren. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Monday at the Findeisen-Greiser Funeral Home, Rosary will be at 8 p.m. Monday by the parish and Holy Name Society. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, St Mary's Church with burial in the Allouez Cemetery.

BIOGRAPHIE: The ECKER Family - from Mrs Bernice Ecker Riendl on 2/26/89 My father & mother started their married life farming. Edmund, my oldest brother was born on their first farm and Norbert was born on their second farm that they had purchased near the Ecker & Pritzl farms. Shortly after, my grandfather Ecker purchased the Auditorium in Brillion, Wis. My father and his brother Joseph formed a partnership to maintain it. This building was the community center of the village. It included athletic activities, dances, movies, etc,, The Joseph Ecker family dwelled upstairs and our family had the downstairs. Irene, Howard and I were born in this building which has since been converted to a bowling alley. After Adolph Pritzl's wife, Mamie, died of the flu during World War I, our family moved in with Uncle Adolph & Leon. In 1924, our family moved to Hilbert, Wis., where my father had purchased a hardware store. We were all reared and educated through high school in Hilbert. In 1942, mother & dad moved to Green Bay, Wis., where dad was employed as a machinist for the Hudson-Sharp Co. They were very happy during this period. I was employed in Green Bay and moved home while Norbert & Harold were attending St Norbert's college. Irene was also employed there. Since mother & dad were both musicians, our whole family was involved in music. During the '30's, dad formed the Ecker Orchestra. It featured dad on the violin, Edmund on sax & clarinet, Norbert on sax, clarinet, flute and piccolo, Irene on piano and Harold on trumpet. Vocalists were Irene and Bernice. We played at many local dance areas as far as Appleton. We also did a few broadcasts from WHBY in Appleton. My three brothers worked their way through college with their musical ability. This was during the depression when money was unavailable. We did have a happy family life with our music. (I did play piano and trombone, but never practiced).

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