James H. Eck, 94, of Bastress Township, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 8, 2019.

Jim was born in Renovo on March 1, 1925, a son of Herman A. and Mable Eiswert Eck.

He was the oldest member of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary as well as a member of the church’s Holy Name Society. He also was a member of the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, a member of Knights of Columbus Council 4738, Jersey Shore, and a Fourth-Degree member of the Father Reichsteiner Assembly. Jim was an avid outdoorsman and a member of the Schwarzwald Hunting Club.

Jim had a love for farming, especially fruit farming. He had various employments, lastly being employed by Susquehanna Supply and finally Jim retired from Textron-Lycoming.

Surviving are his children, Patty (Ronny) Pfirman, Diana (Mike) Persun, Evelyn (Harry) Rall, MaryLou (Joe) O’Neill, Denise (Dan) Boring, Doris (Larry) Bush, Roxane (Rick) Keller, Larry (Beth) Eck, Cheryl (Eric) Palski, Tammy (Mike) Packer, Kimberly (Scott) Corson; 58 grandchildren; 124 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren, brothers; Alfred , Richard, Edward and Leonard Eck,sisters; Margaret “Peg” Bubb, Jane Dincher, Mary Ann Waldman, Ruth Hauser, Shirley Tripoli, and Joan Marie Cahn.

He was a devoted husband to his wife of 71 years, Irene Marion Steinbacher, who died Jan. 18, 2019. In addition, his parents, a son James Stephen Eck, grandsons Dale Pfirman and Joshua Rall, a great grandson, Ethan Persun, brothers Francis, Joseph and Lawrence Eck, and sisters Dorothy Fischer and Eileen Hamm, all preceded him in death.

The family will receive family and friends at Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 133 E. Third St., Williamsport, on Thursday, July 11, 2019, from 1 to 3 p.m and 6 to 8 p.m. with a Vigil service at 5:15 p.m. and the rosary being recited at 5:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 12, at Immaculate Conception of the BVM, 5973 Jacks Hollow Road, Bastress, followed by burial in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions may be made to: The Susquehanna Valley Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, P.O. Box 144, Williamsport, PA 17703.

To share a fond memory or sign a register book, please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com.