JOHN EDWARD "TUFF" ECKLEY

1939 - 2022

John Edward Eckley, "Tuff", 82, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania passed away on April, 6 2022 at UPMC Altoona.

John was born on April 23, 1939 to John C. and Chloye I. (Hickok) Eckley.

John graduated from Clearfield Area High School in 1959 and went on to serve two years in the United States Army stationed in Germany.

He was employed at the state Department of Transportation's District 2 office for 35 years until his retirement in 2001.

John married Betty L. (Marshall) Eckley on May 14, 1966 and celebrated 55 years of marriage. Betty survives at home.

He was the loving father to Katherine B. Eckley, Keith E. Eckley and his wife Michelle, all of Clearfield, and Wayne P. Eckley of Clear Spring, Md.

John was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman and especially enjoyed spring gobbler season. He enjoyed spending time at camp with his family and spent most of the weekends since 1968 at the Yellow Jackets Nest roasting hot dogs and enjoying a camp fire. John was able to spend the opening day of trout season this week at camp with Betty and his children and was joyful that everyone was at camp at the same time.

John enjoyed auctions, wildlife prints, and Sudoko puzzles. His pride and joy were his yard, flower gardens and his song birds and birdbath and tending to them throughout the summer.

He enjoyed traveling to the Delaware and Florida beaches with family and would sit for hours on the beach watching the waves roll in.

He also enjoyed car rides with Betty on the mountain dirt roads looking for wildlife and keeping a deer count of who saw the most deer. He was the most happiest being out in the woods.

John was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Eleanor J. Harris; and a brother, Norman L. Eckley.

He is survived by his wife, children, and a sister, Judith A. Freeland and her husband Jim, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

John was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church of Clearfield until its closing in 2019 and then attended the Kerr Addition United Methodist Church in Clearfield.

Funeral services will be held at the Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark S. Brower officiating.

Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family at the Bradford Cemetery, Woodland.

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 9 to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Kerr Addition United Methodist Church, 1010 Dorey St., Clearfield, PA 16830.

To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.