Allan D. Eckstein, age 80, of Oshkosh, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013, at home with his wife at his side, after suffering from complications of advanced prostate cancer.
Through the goodness and grace of our loving Father in heaven he granted Oscar and Elsie Eckstein a gift of a healthy 9 lb. 4 oz. baby son on September 25, 1933 in Neenah. They named him Allan Duane. Allan was baptized on October 29, 1933, and confirmed on May 25, 1947, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Neenah. He attended grade school in Allenville and later went through the Winneconne school system graduating in 1951. In 1952 Allan went to work at Wilson's Music in Oshkosh where he later joined the business as vice-president of the company, working there for 37 years. On October 2, 1954, he married Shirley Mae Schliepp at St. John's Lutheran Church in Berlin, and they lived their lifetime in Oshkosh. In his retirement years, Allan worked for Kitz and Pfeil and Westhaven Golf Club. His motto was "If you enjoy what you're doing, you never have to go to work." Allan and Shirley were faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Oshkosh being involved in activities at the church and school. Allan enjoyed 20 years of wintering in Casa Grande, Arizona, traveling, playing cards, wood carving, golfing, especially with his Wednesday night golfers. He loved his vegetable garden and tended a beautiful lawn and flowers.
Allan is survived by his wife of 59 happy years, Shirley; three children, Blaine (Gretchen) Eckstein, of Sherwood; Lori (Tim) Haley, of Pinehurst, North Carolina; Jeff (Lynn) Eckstein, of Mequon; grandchildren, Travis Eckstein (special friend, Chelsea), of Oshkosh; Jackie Eckstein (fiance, Mike), of Oshkosh; Trevor (Amber) Eckstein, of Oshkosh; Tanner Eckstein, of Sherwood; Matt (Andrea) Haley, of Leland, North Carolina; Lauren (Wes) Schwenk, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Josh Haley ,of Pinehurst, North Carolina; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Alison, Jaxson, Austin, Abigail, and Claire; one sister, Joyce Kellerman; sister-in-law, Mariel (Chas) Fink; special nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Along with his parents, Allan was preceded in death by three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Arlyn Kellerman, Lester and Lorraine Johnson, Richard Fink, and Delores Jakubowski.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 370 Bowen St. Oshkosh. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church with Pastor Kelly Leary officiating. Cremation will follow and inurnment will be in Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.
A memorial has been established in Allan's name for Trinity Lutheran Church and School.
Allan's family would like to extend a warm thank you to all of the nurses and staff at Aurora Medical Center and clinics, and Evergreen that showed care and compassion to him throughout his illness. A special thanks to Generations Hospice and all of the wonderful friends and neighbors.
If you wish, please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.