Charles J. Eckel age 93, of Crete, IL, passed away peacefully May 8, 2016. Beloved husband of the late Mildred I. Eckel nee Lefevre. Loving father of Charles E. Eckel and William J. Eckel. Cherished grandfather of Sandrah Eckel. Dear brother of the late John Eckel. Charles was a WWII Army Air Corps Veteran and retired from International Harvester as a Maintenance Foreman. Visitation Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 2:00 p.m.until thetime of funeralservice 7:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Homes-Steger Memorial Chapel 3045 Chicago Rd. Steger, Illinois. Interment 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2016 at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sterling, IL. Information at 708 755-6100 or smitsfh.com