Connie is survived by her husband Tommy, daughters Dana, Theresa (step), and Tina (step). Along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Siblings Debbie, Paul Anthony, and Lisa. Proceeded in death by her parents Henry and Blan Summitt sisters Carolyn, Janet, Marilyn.

Funeral services for Connie Ward were held graveside at the Gooch Cemetery in Mason at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at masonfuneralhome. net Arrangements were entrusted to Mason Funeral Home.

welcomed their first daughter, Debra, and two years later, welcomed another daughter, Dianne. Donald and Carol always encouraged their daughters to become independent women pursuing their education and careers. Donald taught his daughters everything he would have taught a son, from driving tractors and farm equipment, building fences, working cattle, and most importantly, growing peaches. He taught his daughters the gift of land, and how to best care for the land you have been gifted with.

As a second-generation non-irrigated peach grower, he understood the value of rain, water, and land conservation farming practices. He looked forward to attending or hosting Agricultural Field Days, demonstrating and sharing information with other livestock producers and peach growers. He never missed an opportunity to promote the peach industry, especially if there was cold beer BBQ, and friends he could enjoy time with. He felt it was important to attend community events and always enjoyed entering prize winning peaches at the Stonewall Peach Jamboree, Night in Old Fredericksburg, and Gillespie County Fair Peach Contests. He was well known for his “End Of The Peach Season” appreciation barbecues at the river on the Eckhardt homeplace. Donald never expected it but was thrilled when Dianne and Debbie returned home to the peach orchard operations as he and Carol approached retirement. He provided the girls with volumes of advice, knowledge, patience and acceptance in the power of Mother Nature. After all, he knew every year, and crop would bring completely different weather conditions and need for adaptations to remain successful.

When Donald became an Opa, his love for his three grandchildren became very apparent. He taught all three the importance of hard work and dedication that would mold them each into future successful adults, each with a different path. He also taught them to laugh and find humor even if they were side by side with him at the barns, in the peach orchard, or at the peach stand. His humor, wit, and great storytelling kept his family entertained and heartened even in the hardest of times. He loved to teach them how to hunt whitetail deer, followed by field dressing, processing, and sausage making. His goal was to teach them all to do the right thing, persevere, and knowing one will be rewarded. He truly was the best Opa to all three.

Donald was preceded in death by both of his parents, his loving wife Carol, five brothers and four sisters: Alvin Eckhardt, Clemens (Dottie) Eckhardt, Esther (Jerry) Williams, Gilbert Eckhardt, Adeline (Al) Carter, Norma (Boyce) Hoffmann, Victor (Josie) Eckhardt, Eric (Gladys) Eckhardt, and a stillborn sister.

He is survived by his two daughters: Debbie Eckhardt Cox of Fredericksburg and Dianne Eckhardt of Fredericksburg.

Three grandchildren, Quentin, Jordan, and Evelyn Cox of Fredericksburg.

Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews across Texas and Oklahoma.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to his very loving and caring doctors and healthcare providers including Dr. Jeff Holt and his nurse Melissa; Dr. Alyssa Rieber and her staff, as well as the wonderful Methodist Hill Country PT, OT, and Hospice nurses and caregivers Maria, Jam, Melissa, and Anyssa. They all allowed our father so much peace and dignity to live out his life on the family farm.

Pallbearers are Quentin Cox, Kyle Segner, Chad Eckhardt, Byron Eckhardt, Weston Hooker, and Tyler Hooker. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Hooker, Bruce Eckhardt, Rodney Eckhardt, and Jim Sands.

His body laid in state in Bethany Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 10 a.m., funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Ray Tiemann officiating.

Graveside services and interment with Military Honors followed in Der Stadt Friedhof Cemetery.

Visitation for Donald was held on Monday, July 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Fredericksburg FFA, Bethany Lutheran Church, Hill Country Youth Ranch, or the charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.schaetter. com