Keith Eckersell

KEITH ECKERSELL IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO -- Keith Howard Eckersell, 85, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 6, 2010, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Keith was born to Howard and Sarah Eckersell on November 13, 1924, in Rexburg, Idaho. He grew up in Idaho Falls, where he learned to love all the outdoors offered him. Hunting, fishing, skiing, riding snowmobiles, and golfing were only a few of the activities he would consider his hobbies. However, one of the fondest memories of his youth was an indoor sport he became actively involved in during the 1940's. He very much enjoyed and would often reminisce about the time he spent in the ring... amateur boxing. At a dance on New Year's Eve in 1950, he met Joyce E. Whittaker, and they were married November 14, 1952. They would start their life together with him working the first of two careers. He started his car business career at Browning Motors in the parts department moving on to sales. He then helped to start the Edsel dealership in Idaho Falls. When Ford stopped making Edsels that didn't damper his desire to sell cars so he started Park Ave. Motors, later moving his family to Layton, Utah to start Eckersell Chrysler Plymouth, and Lompoc, California to be the Used Car Manager of Sunset Chevrolet. The need to be closer to family brought him full circle back to Idaho Falls to finish his long car sales career as the Used Car Manager at Stoddard Ford. During his car career he was given the name of “Smily”. Keith was a member of the Elks Club and the Country Club. In 1979, at the age of 55, he re-invented himself starting the second of his two careers, this time in insurance sales. He started JK Insurance which he would later sell to and continue to work for The Hartwell Corporation. He retired in 2004. He was able to enjoy his retirement playing the game he loved to hate... golf. The last several years have been spent enjoying good friends, playing with his grandchildren, playing cards, watching boxing and westerns and spending time with his wife, Joyce. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Eckersell; his son, Lance (Theresa) Eckersell of Boise; his sister, Gladys Clark of Sheridan, Wyoming; and his grandchildren, Samantha Rose, and Ethan Lance. He was preceded in death by his son, Brian Eckersell; his brother, Kenneth Eckersell; and his sisters, Afton Blackhurst; and Diana Leverton. Private family services will be held at Wood Funeral Home. The family invites the public to a Celebration of Life on Friday, April 16, 2010, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the Shiloh Inn, 780 Lindsay Blvd, in Idaho Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Idaho Youth Ranch, 478 Shoup Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Vaun Bingham We were saddened to hear of Keith's passing. We are in St. George, Utah; our prayers our with you. Vaun & Joanne Bingham. Vaun played a lot of golf with Keith and had a lot of fun with him. Dave and Elaine Smith dsmith4908@gmail.com Dear Joyce, Lance and Family, We were sorry to hear of Keith's passing as we serve here in Mexico. What a great friend to all. We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. Most sincerely, Dave and Elaine Smith