Thomas L. Eckenrode, age 81 of Zelienople passed away Friday afternoon in UPMC Passavant, McCandless Twp.
Born February 24, 1938 in Callery, he was the son of the late James and Fonda DeHart Eckenrode.
He was of the Protestant Faith.
Tom graduated from Evans City High School and Geneva College with a degree in education. He taught in Evans City for two years. He left teaching became the President of Air Turbine in Zelienople for 18 years. He retired in 2000 from Hall Industries, Ellwood City.
He also served on the board of WBCA for 18 years.
Tom loved golfing and bowling, but especially his family having coached ball for his children’s teams.
He is survived by his wife D. Lynn Peffer Eckenrode, two daughters, Lori Ruda of MD. and Tami Eckenrode of Zelienople; one son, Kevin (Karen) Eckenrode of Butler: three sisters, Patricia Weber of Butler, Donna (Gary) Plaisted of Evans City and Susan Christy of Slippery Rock: one brother, James “Brick” Eckenrode of OH.; seven grandchildren, Heith (Jennifer), Travis (Melissa), and Corey Eckenrode, Katrina (Kenny) Baronetski, Chelsea and Tyler Felker, and Kayla (Josh) Wise; eight great grandchildren, Jordan, Emilia, Keith, Connor, Warren, Rosaline, Levi, and Cora. His father-in-law, Paul Peffer of Zelienople. Also nieces, nephews, brother and sister in-laws.
He was preceded in death by one son Keith and two brothers, Bill and Wesley ”Tub” Eckenrode.
A private memorial service for Tom Eckenrode will be held on Tuesday November 26, 2019 at 11:A.M. at the Connoquenessing United Methodist Church.
The family has suggested memorial donations be made to the Zelienople Library,227 S. High St., Zelienople, PA 16063 or to the Harmony-Zelienople Food Cupboard, c/o Zion Lutheran Church, 557 Perry Highway, Harmony, PA 16037
