Jeremy Ecklin

Jeremy Michael Ecklin, 42, of Cumberland, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, at his home.

He was born June 18, 1975, the son of Dale and Lois (Henke) Ecklin, in Atlantic, Iowa, and spent his life there growing up with his family and close friends.

Jeremy graduated from Atlantic High School with the class of 1994. As he grew up, he developed a love of motorcycles. He enjoyed the wind in his hair, the open roads, going to many rallies with his buddies, and having great times!

Jeremy started working at a young age and had a few different jobs. At age 22 he started working at Mahle Engine Components and had been there for the last 20 years. He initially worked on the main floor, then transferred to maintenance and then became a floor supervisor on the first shift. He loved the people he worked for and enjoyed being able to engage with his people and tease them from time to time. Mahle is also where he met his future wife. Julie Tibken Joy worked in the surrounding area by Jeremy and they met, fell in love, and were married on June 28, 2003. Jeremy also became a stepfather to Julie’s three children, Nathan, Jessica, and Jocelyn Joy. He loved them very much and enjoyed every moment he got to spend with them. Being there for the births of his four grandkids and spending time with them was so very important to him.

Jeremy enjoyed learning how to feed cattle with his father-in-law, Rich, and helping him harvest in the fall. Earlier in his life he really enjoyed learning woodworking skills from his dad and liked making different objects with him. He and Julie enjoyed trips to Colorado, South Dakota, and numerous other trips around Iowa. We will all miss him but know that he is in a wonderful place now.

During his cancer journey, he kept a great outlook on life and tried to spend as much time as possible with his family and friends. But when God called him home, he was surrounded by his wife, kids and grandkids.

Jeremy is survived by his wife, Julie; children, Nathan Joy of Omaha, NE, Jessica (Joe) Auen of Logan, IA, Jocelyn (Cody Marsh) Joy of Grafton, IA; his grandchildren, Amya Cruz Joy, Wylee Joe Marsh, Augustus Lyle Auen and Liam Mason Auen; his parents-in-law, Rich and Martha Tibken; his siblings, Rick Ecklin, Patty Weihs, Carrey Ecklin, Lori (Glenn) Johnson, Vicki Russell, and Chris Keasey and his family; brother/sister-in-law, Mike (Leann) Tibken; special nephews and nieces, Nathan (Farren) Johnson, Tanner (fiancé Samantha Myers) Johnson, Carl (fiancé Stacey Lubash and their daughter, Nora) Kosek, Heather (special friend Brian) VanWyk, Ben Tibken and Abigail Tibken; along with numerous other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Dale Ecklin; his grandparents; and his nephew, Tyler Tibken.

Visitation with family will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 15, 2018, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 16, 2018, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church south of Wiota, Iowa, with burial in First Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Wiota, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the family to be used at a later date per Jeremy’s wishes.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.