Matthew Paul ECKLEY, 24, of Bellefonte, died Sunday, February 6, 2005 at
Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was hospitalized following
a single-car accident on January 24, 2005. Born June 9, 1980, in State
College, he was a son of Mark E. Eckley and the late Lou Ann Eckley. He
was engaged to Nicki Olson of Bellefonte. He was a graduate of State
College Area High School and the Community College of Allegheny County,
Pittsburgh. He was a certified paramedic and was employed full time by
Lewistown Hospital. He also worked part-time for Alpha Ambulance of
State College, Phillipsburg EMS, and FAME EMS in Lewistown, He also had
Firefighter I certification and recently completed Fire Instructor
certification. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in State
College; Alpha Ambulance of State College; the Boalsburg Fire Deparment,
where he started as a junior firefighter and worked his way to an
elected captain; and Walker Township Fire Department, where he was
elected engine captain. He was an avid hunter and volunteer fireman. He
lived to help people and to promote life. He worked hard, played hard,
was a faithful son, brother and friend, and lived life to the fullest.
In addition to his father and fiance, he is survived by his stepmother,
Ruth Eckley, of State College; brother Paul Eckley of State College;
step-brother Michael Jensen of State College; maternal grandmother
Dorothy Kelly of Huntingdon; paternal grandparents Earl and Betty Eckley
of Cassville; great grandmother Pearl Fleming of Huntingdon; and close
friends, Mathew Dale of Boalsburg and Nate Corl of State College. In
addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his maternal
grandfather, Lewis Kelly. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at
1:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St., State College,
with the Reverends Robert M.A.L. Miller and P. Stevens Lynn officiating.
Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Huntingdon