Orlando Eichler

Orlando Eichler, 87, of Fayetteville, was guided by angels to heaven on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 in Fayetteville. He was born July 14, 1925 in Gillette, Arkansas, the son of John and Emma Connor Eichler. Orlando (or "Ike" as his wife and friends called him, and "Papa" to his family) worked most of his life as an interior contractor and painter in Stuttgart, Arkansas, where he lived for 49 years before moving to Fayetteville in 1994 to be closer to family. He served in the United States Marine Corp in the Aviation Unit during World War II in the Southwest Pacific. He loved to spend time hunting with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed not only reading and telling stories about treasure hunting, but he also loved metal detecting as a hobby. Papa had a heart of gold and always had his own unique ways of showing how much he loved and cared for his family. Orlando is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Cockrell Eichler; two sons, John C. Eichler and his wife Celestine of Fayetteville, Ark. and Stephen T. Eichler of Morrisville, Pa.; four grandchildren, John C. Eichler, Jr. and his wife Rhonda of Little Rock, Ark., Chad Eichler and his wife Tamara of Maumelle, Ark., Adam Eichler and his wife Sarah of Fayetteville and Amy M. Eichler of Fayetteville, as well as eight great-grandchildren, John III, Cole, Logan, Grant, Holden, Jordyn, Sophia and Joseph. Orlando is preceded in death by his parents, as well as brothers and sisters, Johnny Eichler, Elsie Leonard, Jewel Wallace, Mildred Wheeler, Aubrey Eichler, Ina Smith, Ruby Jolly and Beatrice Connor. The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring doctors and nurses at Willard Walker Hospice. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., Friday at Moore's Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Moore's Chapel. Burial will follow at Son's Chapel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 Longview, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.