Michael "Mikey" A Eckstein, 79, resident of Ninety Six, SC, on Lake Greenwood, widower of Patricia M Shuler Eckstein, died April 2, 2016 at The Hospice House in Greenwood, SC.
Born in a Chicago, Illinois suburb, he was the son of the late Albert & Mary Elsener Eckstein. Surviving are two daughters, Cheri (Craig) McKenna Patterson of Manhattan, IL and Jill (Brad) Taylor of Cincinnati, OH. Five grandchildren, Tom (Amanda), Kyle & Tyler McKenna, Jim Matosky and Mandy (Josh) Hager and one great granddaughter, Maddie McKenna. Also surviving are three step-grandchildren, Corie, Craig, and Kevin and six step-great grandchildren.
Also surviving are sister Maryann Ried, brother and sister-in-law Martin and Nancy Eckstein, brother-in-law Ronald Shuler, five nieces and three nephews.
He was predeceased in death by brother William Eckstein, son-in-law Thomas McKenna, brother-in-law Robert Ried and sister-in-law Barbara Shuler.
Mike and Pat were high school sweethearts in the Chicago area. They were unable to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on February 11, 2006 as Pat was called to heaven five months earlier.
After formal education at several universities, Michael joined the sales staff at Wheeling Steel Company, then General Cable Company and then Tootsietoy/Strombecker. He spent the next 35 years in the toy industry as a manufacturer's representative, forming Eckstein Sales in 1978 based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Eventually Pat joined Mike in representing various toy and Halloween companies and traveling the Midwest. They were required to attend shows in New York, Dallas, Chicago and Hong Kong.
The Ecksteins' retired from the toy business and moved to Grand Harbor in Ninety Six in December 2000. They were the first residents of Grand Harbor and were eventually blessed with loving and caring neighbors and friends. Mike enjoyed golf and boating and was especially proud of his two daughters, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
A Celebration of Life for Michael Eckstein will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Harley Funeral Home in Greenwood SC with Rev. Gayle Summey officiating. A reception will follow at Grand Harbor Clubhouse in Ninety Six, SC with a balloon release at 2:30 PM around the flag pole. There will be a private service at Oakbrook Memorial Park for the family on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society "Relay For Life", P. O. Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648, or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.