Obituary photo of John+Carl Eichert, Titusville-FL
In Loving Memory of

John Carl Eichert

1925 - 2007
Obituary photo of John+Carl Eichert, Titusville-FL
In Loving Memory of

John Carl Eichert

1925 - 2007

Services & Gatherings

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:
Sunday, December 23, 2007 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
2400 South Washington Avenue
Titusville, FL  32780
321-269-6000
Service:
Sunday, December 23, 2007 4:00 PM
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
2400 South Washington Avenue
Titusville, FL  32780
321-269-6000
Interment:
Evergreen Cemetery
505 N. Rodriquez Street , St. Augustine, Florida 32084
John Carl Eichert was born on March 16, 1925 in New Brunswick, NJ. Or was it March 6? While his birth certificate stated the former date, his mother always claimed it was the earlier one. John didn’t mind—it gave him the opportunity to celebrate his birthday twice each year. He had a typical boyhood growing up in the central New Jersey area highlighted by his involvement in the Boy Scouts. He achieved the status of Eagle Scout, an accomplishment that he was always proud of.

As the United States became involved in World War II, John felt the need to contribute to the war effort. He had to wait until he turned 18 in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. It didn’t matter to him that he would not be able to finish and graduate with his high school—he knew he needed to be involved. The school awarded his diploma after he enlisted. For much of the three years in the service he was stationed in England and later in France as a radar technician. He did not see active combat, but he nevertheless always felt proud of the contributions he made to the war effort.

When John was discharged from the service he returned to the United States to look up his girlfriend in Florida that he had met while stationed in the state during his early army training. He and Frances Godwin were married in 1946 and made their first home in Jacksonville, FL. It was there that their two children, David and Nancy were born. While living in Jacksonville, John worked for Sears, Roebuck & Company installing television antennas. During that time John had the yearning for something greater and that would give him more independence. He learned of the Western Auto Company and the opportunity to own your own business. That was it; he was hooked. He was able to scrape together enough money to buy a struggling Western Auto store in Union Park, FL, and the family moved to that area east of Orlando in 1959.

During the years that John and his family lived in Union Park, he participated in or supported a number of community organizations such as the Lion’s Club, East Orange Chamber of Commerce and various efforts to develop youth activities such as Boy Scouts and Little League. “The Store” as John’s business came to be known within the family took considerable amounts of time as most retail endeavors do. When he could get away he enjoyed boating with family and canoeing.

John and Fran operated that store successfully from 1959 to 1973 when the press of competition from bigger and stronger discount businesses forced them to sell the enterprise. He then worked for about 10 years for the Woolco department store and after for another 10 years for Home Depot, both in east Orlando before retiring for good. It was after selling “The Store” that John also decided to go back to school. He attended Valencia Community College at nights and earned an associates degree with focus on computer programming.

It was also after John had sold “The Store” that his schedule became less demanding and he was able to take up some hobbies. One which he always enjoyed was gardening, and he grew lots of varieties of vegetables and flowering plants. He became most known for the numerous pineapple plants and bromeliads that he grew and would take to local flea markets to sell on weekends. Another interest of his was of the great outdoors. At different times he had two motor homes which he and Fran would use to travel all over the United States taking in the sites of God’s creation. During this time he also developed a fascination for the Civil War. He bought and read dozens and dozens of books on any and all aspects of the conflict which he firmly believed the South should have won. A secondary reading interest involved books on World War II and an avid fascination with National Geographic magazine. He subscribed to the latter journal for years and years and read each issue from cover to cover.

During this time John recognized his need for a relationship with God. He and Fran accepted Christ and were baptized at Southeast Christian Church in Orlando. The two of them were active members of the church for several years as health allowed them.

As Fran’s health declined, John became even more devoted to her and to her care. In her latter years John doted over her and her health and was constantly attentive to her special needs as she dealt with various medical issues. Her death in 2000 after 53 years of marriage was a huge blow to him. He significantly mourned her death but also eagerly sought the companionship of another.

In 2003 John met and married Rae Hail at Southeast Christian Church. His marriage to her brought new vitality to him and a new energy for life. They decided to leave the hustle and bustle of Orlando for a quieter environment and chose to relocate to Titusville. They loved the area and the opportunity to become involved with a new church—the Sun Valley Christian Church where they developed a number of friends. Unfortunately, Rae had some of her own health issues that limited some of the things they would like to have done. John rose to the task of trying to be of help to Rae, and she reciprocated in helping him with some of his declining health. It was another big blow to John when Rae died suddenly and unexpectantly in March 2007. John’s further decline in health led to his death on December 20, 2007.

John is survived by his son, David, of Titusville; daughter, Nancy Linnert, and her husband, Doug, of Orlando as well as grand daughters Cynthia Chapman of Roanoke Rapids, NC; Catherine Parrish of Salem, VA; Kristie Eichert of Titusville; and Keri Mills of Salem, IN. He also had five great grand children.

Services & Gatherings

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:
Sunday, December 23, 2007 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
2400 South Washington Avenue
Titusville, FL  32780
321-269-6000
Service:
Sunday, December 23, 2007 4:00 PM
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
2400 South Washington Avenue
Titusville, FL  32780
321-269-6000
Interment:
Evergreen Cemetery
505 N. Rodriquez Street , St. Augustine, Florida 32084

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