Larue Eckenstine

May 20, 1917 - January 30, 2014

Mr. Larue Eckenstine, age 96, and a resident of the Milltown area went to be with his Lord and Savior January 30th, 2014. He was fondly known as Papa Lou and will be sorely missed by family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 6:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. The body will lie in state from noon until 3:00 pm in the Hunter Room of Heritage Funeral Home on Bear Creek Pike. Visitation with family will be 3-6 pm with services immediately following. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania on May 20, 1917, he was the son of the late Asa and Rosa Mae Babcock Eckenstine. Mr. Eckenstine was the former president and CEO of Sugar Valley Telephone Company in Loganton, PA and retired to Tennessee in the early 1980s. Papa Lou was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. He enjoyed gardening, beagles, and visits with friends and family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Fern (Roy) Jacobs of Erie, PA and mother of his children Dorothy (Dot) Willits Eckenstine of Jersey Shore, PA, as well as seven sisters and one younger brother. He leaves behind to cherish his memory daughter: Wendy (Lucky) Greer of the Milltown Community; granddaughters: Valerie Smith of Lewisburg, Shana (Marc) Reed of Turbotville, PA and Nancy Jacobs of Wisconsin; and great-grandchildren: Elijah Smith & Kason Davis of Lewisburg and Katherine and Christopher Reed who were an absolute joy to him. He is also survived by a second daughter Bonnie Newman of El Paso, TX. Pallbearers will be Lucky Greer, Andy Greer, Valerie Smith, and Roy Jacobs. Longtime friends Joe Lewis Gentry and Frank Prewitt will serve as honorary pallbearers. Final services to celebrate his life will be held in Pennsylvania at a later date this year. Memorial donations may be made to the Grace Prison Ministries P.O. Box 171052, Nashville, TN 37204, www.graceprisons.org You may share condolences with the family at the top of this page.