Louis Eckard-MADISONVILLE, KY.

Louis "Louie" Eckard, 72, of Madisonville, died at 11:23 a.m. Tuesday August 4, 2009, at his home in Madisonville, Ky. after a long illness.

He was born September 8, 1936 in Hopkins County, Ky., to the late Neal Eckard and Mattie Eckard. He was a retired coal miner where he worked for over 31 years with Pyro Mining Company.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Marie Eckard in September of 2002; one son, Ricky Wayne Eckard in 1992; three brothers, Julius "JR" Eckard, John Eckard and Doug Eckard; one sister, Helen Gray; two stepsisters, Virgie and Elizabeth.

He is survived by his two daughters and son-in-law, Ann Eckard of Madisonville, Karen Duncan and David Duncan of Nebo, KY.; two sisters, Ruth Ann Simpson and Ruby Pancyzk both of Michigan; four grandchildren, Eric Heltsley, Nicole Heltsley, Megan Eckard and Anna Quijano-Eckard.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2009, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Rev. Roy Ellis officiating. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery in Hanson, Ky. Pallbearers will be Eric Heltsley, David Duncan, Ronnie Bearden, Nick Bearden, Josh Messinger and Winfred Duncan. Honorary pallbearers will be Nicole Heltsley and Anna Eckard.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. until service time Friday at Harris Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopkins County Food Bank.