Ned V. Eckman, 83, of Lincoln, passed away September 18, 2017. Born January 11, 1934 in Pawnee City, NE to Edgar Vance and Daisymae (Thompson) Eckman. He was a graduate of Peru State College where he earned Small College All-American Honorable Mention in football and All-Nebraska College Conference honors in both football and basketball while also lettering in track and golf. Peru State didn’t have baseball at the time, so Ned pursued a short career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization following college. Although that was cut short by military service, Ned continued his athletic endeavors by earning military honors for his play in three sports for the Berlin Bears in occupied Germany. He married Jan Larson in 1967, and celebrated 50 years of marriage in August. They had three children, Steve, Kristin and Scott, and six grandchildren. He was an educator and coach for 34 years at Tecumseh, Cozad, Fairbury, Murdock and Malcolm. In retirement, he enjoyed golf and horse racing.
Family members include wife: Jan; sons and daughters-in law, Steve (Julie) Eckman and Scott (Michelle) Eckman; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin (Sean) Murphy, all of Lincoln; granddaughters Makenna and Leyton Murphy, Ellie and Harper Eckman; grandson Jaxon Murphy; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Preceded in death by parents, brother and sister-in-law Gayle and Tolu Eckman , sisters-in-law Linda Stansbury and Sheri McAuliffe, nephew Mike Peterson, grandson Carter Murphy.
Memorial Celebration of Life Service: 3:00 p.m. Friday (9-22-17) Heartlands Church, 10000 Yankee Hill Rd.
Memorials to the Food Bank of Lincoln.
No Visitation/Cremation.