William Eickholt

William L. (Bill) Eickholt, 52 of rural Geary County was lifted into heaven on June 5, 2012 from his home surrounded by many members of his family following his brave, 14 month battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer.

William Louis Eickholt was born on May 4, 1960 in Lima, Ohio to Jerome and Anna Marie (Turnwald) Eickholt who preceded him in death. Bill grew up on a farm near Ottoville, Ohio where he graduated from high school in 1978. On November 5, 1994 he married the former Lisa Jean Teetzen at the First Presbyterian Church in Junction City, Kansas.

Bill was a talented carpenter and spent many years in the construction of new homes, remodeling and maintenance fields. Most recently he was employed for 16 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Milford Lake Project as a carpenter where he recently earned the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. To Bill, anything that was worth doing was worth giving 100% and doing it right.

Bill had mental and physical endurance which, coupled with an exceptionally strong work ethic, served him especially well both in his life work and his battle against brain cancer.

He had great pride in our Country, his family and his work. He was dedicated to his wife, Lisa. Bill attended St. Xavier's Catholic Church and was a former board member of the Geary County Farm Bureau and a former volunteer firefighter. In addition to his full-time job, Bill enjoyed helping his brother on his farm, working various carpentry side-jobs, working in his woodworking shop at home, and weekend trips with his wife.

Survivors include his wife Lisa; nine brothers and sisters: Thom (Mary) Eickholt of Columbus Grove, OH; Jane (Bill) Thomas of Lima, OH; Jerry (Jann) Eickholt, Dan (Marcia) Eickholt, Frank (Judy) Eickholt of Ottoville, OH; Mary Ann (Dale) Good of Ft. Jenning's OH; Ray (Carol) Eickholt of Van Wert, OH; Kathy (Ed) Wehri of Delphos, OH; and Don (Marie-Anne) Eickholt of Junction City, KS. Bill is also survived by 23 nieces and nephews and 19 Great Nieces & Nephews including Kansas residents: Eric & Kristy Eickholt, Julia, Shawn, Jace & Kayleigh Goggins, and Samantha, Loran & Roper Lefert. He is also survived by his Goddaughter, Allison Metzger, Edmond, OK.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert Eickholt and Joseph Eickholt and great-nephew Jack Eickholt.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Junction City KS at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8th with Pastor Matthew Glasgow and Fr. Al Brungardt officiating. Inurnment will be in the Lyona Cemetery, rural Junction City. A vigil will be held at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington Street on Thursday, June 7 at 5:30 with the family receiving visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 113 W. 5th Street, Junction City, Kansas 66441, St. Xavier Catholic Church, P.O. Box 399, Junction City, KS 66441 or the National Brain Tumor Society For Research, 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D, Watertown, MA 02472.