John Francis Ecken

John Francis Ecken of Caro, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was born on November 5, 1937, the son of William and Lucy Eckenswiller. Growing up the 13th of 14 children just after the depression, John’s family owned the local garage/service station in Argyle, MI, giving him an early start on fixing things. He was adored by his older sisters and got into many shenanigans with his brothers. He lost the tip of his index finger in a piece of farm equipment, which became a fantastic prop for future jokes.

As a high schooler, he left home to live in Wisconsin for seminary, where he played hockey with the late Bishop Kenneth Untener. He continued his studies in Maryland and became a Catholic priest.

While serving as a priest in Saginaw, MI, he built a strong, trusting friendship with a nun who taught at his church school. After they both decided to leave their orders, they realized their relationship was much more (*story for a later time)! He married Marilyn Ann Henige on July 10, 1970 and lived in Hamtramck, where he drove a taxi while going to Wayne State University to become a licensed social worker. Throughout his career, he helped start the psychiatric ward at the Caro Regional Center Psychiatric Hospital, supervised child protective services at Tuscola County Social Services, and finally served as volunteer coordinator for Tuscola County Mental Health before his formal retirement.

He was an avid self-taught musician who had a passion for teaching and mentoring students. He started with his daughters, who joined him and Marilyn as part of the “Country Rainbows,” singing and playing music for small parties, parades and especially at nursing homes. He loved to play his (very heavy) Cordavox, basically an accordion on steroids! After retirement, he initiated and coordinated Caro’s free summer “Music in the Park” concerts for 20 years. He absolutely loved teaching students piano, guitar and violin, and developed many important relationships, especially with very special students, Freddie, Angie, Alex, Olivia and Ryan. In his performances, he brought joy and corny jokes to all.

For the last 25 years, John and Marilyn spent winters at El Valle del Sol park in Mission, TX. Along with park board duties and many card games with friends, they taught English as a Second Language to both Spanish and Korean speakers, volunteered at the neighboring school and with The Salvation Army and built mentoring relationships with several families met through English and music lessons. He was famous for his grapefruit picking - riding his bike around the park to pick as well as driving out to trespass on land just next to the Mexican border to pick from abandoned fields (he did, indeed, have a few conversations with border patrol). He hated to see any good food go to waste, and also saw it as a mentoring opportunity to help some of his younger friends make some money!

John leaves behind a legacy of 55+ years of marriage to Marilyn and four daughters: Renee (Darrin) Wagner, Kay (Brian) Schuetter, Lou (Joey) Ecken Kidd, and Gina (Kevin) Wolma, as well as 5 grandchildren: Nikki (Jake) Moran, Tyler Wagner, Jordan Wolma, Kayla Wolma and Kelsey Wolma; and 2 great-grandchildren, Finn and Cole. The family was able to be together to share a beautiful Christmas together in Texas, and with the help of Elara Care Hospice, to be together in his last days as well.

A funeral mass will be planned at a later date; until then (and into the future), we encourage you to hug your loved ones, look for ways to both help and entertain others around you, and share music with the world!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the St. Christopher Food Pantry (Caro) or The Salvation Army of McAllen, TX.