Keith W. Ecklund, 72, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2024, with his family by his side from complications of pneumonia. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He married his high school sweetheart, Maribeth, on September 7, 1970, at St. Joseph's Calasanctius Church in Jefferson, OH, and celebrated 53 wonderful years of marriage.


He was born on August 7, 1951, in Ashtabula, the son of William and Beatrice Ecklund. He was a 1969 graduate of Ashtabula High School and a graduate of Kent State University. Keith served in the United States Navy (1969-1971), a Vietnam veteran, aboard the USS Ranger CVA-61 Aircraft Carrier. He was a brakeman and a qualified engineer for Conrail Railroad for many years. After retiring, he became the caregiver for his son, Kevin. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and Chevy Camaros. Keith enjoyed keeping up with the latest technology and listening to music. He especially enjoyed the smiles and giggles during his visits with his two great-granddaughters, Quinn and Amelia.


He is survived by his loving wife, Maribeth (Scheanon); his beloved children, Kerrie Santiago, Keith (Jessica) Ecklund II, and Kevin Ecklund; his grandchildren, Kayla (Mark) Nellenbach, Jonathan (Ashley) Balcomb, Kirstyn (Quintin) Blair, Kayla White, Abrea Furman, Brandon Santiago, Keith Ecklund III, and Zachary Furman Ecklund; his great-grandchildren Quinn, Amelia, Reagan, Miley, Alainna, Alivia, and Grayson; and his siblings Greg (Jan) Ecklund, Renee (Chris) Copeland, Janet (Ken) Greene, Tim (Gail) Ecklund, Brenda (Gregg) Copeland, William (Elaine) Scheanon, Christine (Jack) Root, Paula (George) Schmidt, and John Ovak.


He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Beatrice Ecklund; his brothers, Brent and Mark Ecklund; his sister-in-law, Cathy Ovak; and mother and father in law, William and Catherine Scheanon.


Keith always had a strong will to live, surviving cancer twice, and enduring many serious illnesses over the past two years. He was nicknamed, The Ironman, by UH Cleveland CICU Nurses. The family would like to thank the Palliative Care and ICU staff at UH Lake West Hospital, the staff at Austinburg Rehabilitation Center, Intrepid Home Health services, and the nurses at House Calls.


Keith's remains will be taken home to celebrate Christmas as a family. In the Spring, he will take his long awaited ride in his son's Camaro to his final resting place at Greenlawn Memory Gardens for a private burial service.


Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva OH, from 2:00-4:00pm.


www.LakeErieCrematory.com