Claude Melvin Eckert, age 91, a lifelong resident of Livingston County, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Lake George Senior Living in Columbia, Missouri.
Claude was born on January 30, 1933, to Edwin Mark and Minnie Rachel (Reeter) Eckert in Laredo, Missouri. His family moved to the home farm in 1936. Claude was a 1951 graduate of the Trenton High School in Trenton. He was united in marriage to Wilma Nadine Dunn on May 23, 1954 in Trenton, Missouri. She survives of the home. Claude earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from North East Missouri State University in Educational Administration.
Claude was a member of the Shelburne Baptist Church, Trenton Missouri, where he served as Deacon beginning in 1966. He also served as the Shelburne Cemetery Association treasurer for many years. He was a member of Trenton Masonic Lodge #111, he served as Grand Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Missouri, Treasurer for the Trenton Masonic bodies from 1971 until 2021, until his entry into assisted care. He was on many other boards of directors, including the Home Exchange Bank Board, the Livingston County Zoning Board, MFA Board and the MO River Valley Steam Engine Association. He began his teaching career at the Hicks School in 1953. He then taught at Mount Pleasant and Sampsel Schools before opening Pleasant View R-6 School with his wife Nadine, his sister, Elizabeth and one other teacher in 1958. He continued to teach and serve as the Principal until his retirement in 1992. He was a farmer at heart and owned and operated a farm adjacent to his family home-place, it is still operational today.
In 2021, he endowed the Claude and Nadine Eckert Scholarship fund at North Central Missouri College. He attributes a $50.00 scholarship that Nadine had received from Trenton Junior College as changing the course of their lives. They quietly helped people around the community, by assisting with financial help and guidance. Claude and Nadine were honored at the 2008 NCMC Gala as outstanding alumni honorees. They were also awarded the Northwest Baron of Light award on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University in April, 2000. This award was for shedding light on student’s dreams.
Survivors also include his wife, Nadine; one daughter, Claudine Barner and husband John, of Columbia, Missouri; three grandchildren, Leslie deBernardi and husband Zach, of Provo, Utah, Ethan Barner and Andrew Barner of Columbia, Missouri; one brother, Bob Eckert and wife Judy, of Belle, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Eckert; sister, Elizabeth Washburn; and brother-in-law, Nelson Washburn.
Funeral services will be held at Shelburne Baptist, Trenton, Missouri, on Friday, November 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Shelburne Baptist Church, Trenton, Missouri, on Friday, November 29, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Shelburne Cemetery, Trenton, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Shelburne Cemetery Fund, and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.
