Datus Schenk Eck

Datus Schenk Eck, 81, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend, of Providence died Friday October 16,2009, at the Aspen Care Retirement Center in Ogden, Utah. He was born September 5, 1928, in Providence, Utah, the seventh of eight children born to John William and Magdalena Schenk Egg. He grew up in Providence and graduated from South Cache High School in 1946. Dad honorably and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952, in Korea and Japan.
In 1953 Dad married his sweetheart, Joyce Atkinson, of Franklin, Idaho. They made their home in Providence, Utah, where they raised their six children. Larlene (John) Rutledge, Terryl (Kathy) Eck, Cindy (Ron) Ottley, Tamalyn (Ned) Calder, Randy (Kristina) Eck, and Kirk (RaLee) Eck. Mom passed away in 1985. Dad married Carolyn Gentry in 1986; they were later divorced.
Dad supported his family with a career in the construction industry, working for and eventually becoming an owner in Stucki Miller Inc., and other related businesses. Some of his proudest accomplishments were the buildings he worked on that dot the Western United States. Each of his children, and many of their spouses, had the opportunity to work for Dad and learned a strong work ethic from him. This career provided an opportunity for him and Mom to travel the world.
Dad was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many ward and stake callings. He was active in the Providence Lions Club for many years and served on the Providence City Council. His free time was spent working on the family farm with Joyce and his children.
Datus spent his retirement years in Providence, Logan, and Ogden. He led a full productive life until the last few years when illness, incident to age, replaced his smile and wit with grit and determination that lasted to the end. The family is very grateful to Dennis Wildman, a close family friend, for the care he and his devoted care givers at Alpine Hospice lovingly provided Dad. We would also like to thank Aspen Care Center and Alpine Hospice in Ogden and for all their loving care and patience.
Dad has 27 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Joyce, his parents, brothers Theron, Glenn, Doyle, and Lloyd Joseph; sisters Wilda Annie, Wilva Rebecca, and Arva Lou; and a great-grandson Zackery. Dad, Grandpa - we love you and will miss you.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at noon in the Providence 2nd Ward Chapel, 309 South Main St., Providence. Friends may call at Allen-Hall Mortuary on Tuesday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the ward on Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Following the funeral, graveside services with military rites will be held at the Providence City Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net