Milford "Mel" L. EckhoffCHILLICOTHE -- Milford "Mel" L. Eckhoff, 96, of Chillicothe passed away at UnityPoint Methodist Hospital on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.Mel was born on April 8, 1920 in rural Henry, the son of George A. and Florence (Fisher) Eckhoff. He married Barbara Sweney on May 15, 1955 in Prairie City.Mel is survived by this wife, a son David Eckhoff, two granddaughters Alexis and Emily Eckhoff, a step grandson Cody Lewis, and a step great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ethel, and a brother, Everett.Mel was always in the auto repair business, working for the Ford Agency in Chillicothe, owning his own businesses, Eckhoff Brothers Auto Repair and Mel's Tune Up.Mel was not able to serve his country like many other men his age so he became involved and volunteered in his community. He was a volunteer Policeman in Chillicothe, a volunteer on the North Chillicothe Fire Department, and a member of the North Chillicothe Rescue Squad which later became Rescue 33. He was appointed to the North Chillicothe Village Board and in 1961 until 1985 was trustee for the Greater Chillicothe Sanitation District. He was also a member of the Jaycees.Mel was member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Chillicothe.Mel and his wife, Barbara, were avid boaters on both the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The were charter members of the Indian Head Boat Club. The also purchased a camper and loved to travel, attending rallies all over the U.S. and seeing a lot of the lower US and Canada. They spent many winters in Florida visiting Mel's sister in Jacksonville.Barbara has wonderful memories of their times together and he will be greatly missed.A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday morning, December 16, 2016 at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Pastor Steven Mall will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time at the cemetery. Burial will be in the Lacon Cemetery, Lacon. Memorials may be made to his church or to .Mel's online memorial website may be viewed at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.