Richard J. McEachin
September 6, 1935 ~ June 5, 2023 (age 87) 87 Years Old
Richard McEachin Obituary
Richard McEachin passed away June 5, 2023, at home surrounded by family after a long and wonderful life and a short battle with cancer. "Dick" McEachin to most friends and community and business associates, but always "Richard" to his family, was born September 6, 1935, in Pontiac, MI to Elizabeth and Joseph McEachin. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Gerald and Neil (in infancy), and his three sisters, Janice, Nancy and Marilyn.
Richard grew up farming in Deckerville, MI and graduated from Deckerville High School in 1954. On July 2, 1960, he married Grace Lawler Hirzke, a young widow with four children whom Richard took on as his own; such was his capacity for generosity, responsibility, and love.
Richard and Grace founded McEachin Excavating in 1966, and after adding farm tiling in 1975, grew the business very successfully through much hard work and commitment to serving clients well. They later acquired the Deckerville Building Center and operated it for many years. Richard was also an investor in several other Michigan businesses and gave his time to numerous civic organizations including the Deckerville Hospital Board and Marion Township.
Much to our amazement, Richard retired in his early 60's and let his son Joe assume leadership of the business. Richard took a new role as full-time husband and grandfather and part-time fiddle player. He and Grace traveled, enjoyed time with family, and for their first time together, relaxed. Over the last decade as Grace, the love of his life, struggled with arthritis and other health ailments, Richard became her devoted care giver. With his constant companion, Emily the black lab, he cooked, cleaned, chauffeured, and only occasionally allowed assistance from his children.
Richard is survived by his wife Grace; children: Judy Foss and Phil Hull, Sandra Gentner and Larry Booms, Joe and Sheila McEachin, Susanne and John Evans; grandchildren: Jeffrey and Melissa Foss, Amy and Jeremy Guenther, Michelle and Dan Mumbrue, Kelly Gentner, Jill and Brad English, Adrienne and Derek Wissner, Darci Evans and Bryan Price, Chelsea Hull and Chad Long, Martin and Amber Gentner, Michael and Michelle McEachin, Brent Evans and Amanda Koncelik, Neil McEachin; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Gerry (Dale) Pearson and Marilyn McEachin; and many nieces, nephews, employees, and friends whose lives were made better by his wisdom, values, and humor.
Visitation will be 4-8pm Friday, June 9 at the Apsey Funeral Home in Deckerville. Visitation and funeral will be held Saturday, June 10 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Port Sanilac; visitation 10-11am, funeral mass at 11am.
Memorials are welcome to the Deckerville Hospital Auxiliary.
Condolences may be sent online to apseyfuneralhome.net
Cemetery Details Downing Cemetery 3151 Rangeline Rd Deckerville, MI 48427 Loading map Previous Events Visitation JUN 9. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET) Apsey Funeral Home 3467 Main St. Deckerville, MI 48427 apseyfuneral@gmail.com Loading map Visitation JUN 10. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET) St. Mary Catholic Church 7066 W. Main St. Port Sanilac, MI Loading map Memorial Mass JUN 10. 11:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET) St. Mary Catholic Church 7066 W. Main St. Port Sanilac, MI Loading map
Richard grew up farming in Deckerville, MI and graduated from Deckerville High School in 1954. On July 2, 1960, he married Grace Lawler Hirzke, a young widow with four children whom Richard took on as his own; such was his capacity for generosity, responsibility, and love.
Richard and Grace founded McEachin Excavating in 1966, and after adding farm tiling in 1975, grew the business very successfully through much hard work and commitment to serving clients well. They later acquired the Deckerville Building Center and operated it for many years. Richard was also an investor in several other Michigan businesses and gave his time to numerous civic organizations including the Deckerville Hospital Board and Marion Township.
Much to our amazement, Richard retired in his early 60's and let his son Joe assume leadership of the business. Richard took a new role as full-time husband and grandfather and part-time fiddle player. He and Grace traveled, enjoyed time with family, and for their first time together, relaxed. Over the last decade as Grace, the love of his life, struggled with arthritis and other health ailments, Richard became her devoted care giver. With his constant companion, Emily the black lab, he cooked, cleaned, chauffeured, and only occasionally allowed assistance from his children.
Richard is survived by his wife Grace; children: Judy Foss and Phil Hull, Sandra Gentner and Larry Booms, Joe and Sheila McEachin, Susanne and John Evans; grandchildren: Jeffrey and Melissa Foss, Amy and Jeremy Guenther, Michelle and Dan Mumbrue, Kelly Gentner, Jill and Brad English, Adrienne and Derek Wissner, Darci Evans and Bryan Price, Chelsea Hull and Chad Long, Martin and Amber Gentner, Michael and Michelle McEachin, Brent Evans and Amanda Koncelik, Neil McEachin; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Gerry (Dale) Pearson and Marilyn McEachin; and many nieces, nephews, employees, and friends whose lives were made better by his wisdom, values, and humor.
Visitation will be 4-8pm Friday, June 9 at the Apsey Funeral Home in Deckerville. Visitation and funeral will be held Saturday, June 10 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Port Sanilac; visitation 10-11am, funeral mass at 11am.
Memorials are welcome to the Deckerville Hospital Auxiliary.
Condolences may be sent online to apseyfuneralhome.net
Cemetery Details Downing Cemetery 3151 Rangeline Rd Deckerville, MI 48427 Loading map Previous Events Visitation JUN 9. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET) Apsey Funeral Home 3467 Main St. Deckerville, MI 48427 apseyfuneral@gmail.com Loading map Visitation JUN 10. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET) St. Mary Catholic Church 7066 W. Main St. Port Sanilac, MI Loading map Memorial Mass JUN 10. 11:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET) St. Mary Catholic Church 7066 W. Main St. Port Sanilac, MI Loading map
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