EDWARD LEON EICKHOFF

Edward Leon Eickhoff, 99, of Cole Camp, died Thursday, November 17, 2016, at Good Samaritan Care Center, Cole Camp. He was born on July 2, 1917, in Cole Camp, a son of Edward and Vernetta Eickhoff.

E. L. grew up in Cole Camp, where he attended grade school and graduated from Cole Camp High School. As a young boy, he enjoyed helping his grandfather in his woodworking shop in Cole Camp, where they made fancy trim for houses. They also made gunstocks for Browning Arms of St. Louis. In later years, he took over his father's furniture business in Cole Camp, which has been in the family for over 100 years.

He served his country honorably in the United States Army during World War II. He was a flight instructor for the B-24 bombers and trained pilots at the Army Air Corps base in Texas when the war first started. Due to heavy loss of pilots in the war, he was transferred to the China Burma India Theatre where only the most experienced pilots were used to fly over the Himalayan Mountains, which the pilots called the "hump". He flew several hundred missions through severe storms which were their worst enemies. He received the distinguished flying cross for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. After returning home from the war, he met his future wife and on June 25, 1959, at the First Baptist Church in Sedalia, he was united in marriage to Betty Jean Eickhoff.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cole Camp, the American Legion Post No. 305, the 40 & 8, the Cole Camp Historical Society, Hump Pilots Association, and China Burma India Veterans Association.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Eickhoff on October 1, 2016, and his parents, Edward and Vernetta Eickhoff.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, Cole Camp, with Pastor Tanner Wiley officiating. Burial will be in Eickhoff Cemetery, Cole Camp, with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 305 of Cole Camp.

At 7:00 p.m. on Monday a 40 & 8 service and a prayer service will be held at the church with visitation to follow.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to First United Methodist Church or Eickhoff Cemetery in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.