Sylvester Eckstein

Eckstein, Sylvester V. "Syl" CROSS PLAINS/ MADISON/ VERONA - Sylvester V. "Syl" Eckstein, age 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, at his home in Willow Pointe Assisted Living in Verona. Syl was born in Cross Plains, on Sept. 26, 1920, to Andrew and Theresa (Dick) Eckstein. He attended Park High School in Cross Plains and graduated from Middleton High School in 1939, where he lettered two years in boxing. On Sept. 21, 1942, Syl entered active duty in the United States Army and served as a telegraph operator in the 719th Railway Battalion in North Africa and Italy during World War II until being honorably discharged Oct. 23, 1945. On Sept. 18, 1945, Syl married Rita C. Zander at St. Francis Xavier Church. Together, Syl and Rita raised four children in Cross Plains and owned and operated Andys Motel on Main Street where they lived from 1954 to 1969. After selling the motel they continued to live in Cross Plains until Ritas death in January of 1974. On July 15, 1978, Syl married Virginia H. (Daggett) Marinac and moved to Madison where they lived until Virginias death in March 1994. Syl worked for the Milwaukee Railroad for over 20 years as a depot agent. In 1961, he started a second career with the University of Wisconsin working in student housing and food services. After retiring in 1985, he continued working part-time at the University Barley Malt Lab until 1999. For over 30 years, Syl looked forward to and attended the World War II Railway Army Reunions which were held all over the United States every September until the last one in 1998. He thoroughly enjoyed and made many life-long friends at these reunions. Syl was a life member of the American Legion Post 245 in Cross Plains for 62 years; the Sony Simon VFW Post 8216 in Middleton and the Last Mans Club. He was also a member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Cross Plains. He is survived by his daughter, Mary J. (Kevin) Van Kleeck of Verona; his sons, Denis of Madison and Steve of Middleton; a sister, Patricia (Norbert) Statz of Cross Plains; a brother, Thomas (Shirley) Eckstein of Madison; a brother-in-law, Henry "Bud" (Jeri) Zander of Madison; three grandchildren, Rita and Sara Blilie, and Brian Van Kleeck; two great-grandchildren, James and Kayla Blilie; step son, Michael Marinac; step-daughter, Laurie Marinac (special friend Bill Siebecker) and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a baby brother, James; his wife, Rita; his son, James; his wife, Virginia; his sister, Delores and brother-in-law, Bob McGinnity; and his mother-in-law, Loretta Zander. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes Street, Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006, with Father Tom Kelly presiding. Burial with military honors conducted by the Cross Plains American Legion Post 245 will be held at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Family and Friends may call on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the care givers at Willow Pointe Assisted Living and HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cross Plains American Legion Post 245, or HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral and Cremation Centers 2421 Church Street, Hwy P Coss Plains, WI (608) 798-3141 www.gundersonfh.com