Warren Eichelberger

My Life Story Warren Don Eichelberger died at the age of 61 at his home on Saturday, June 28, 2014. Warren was born November 23, 1952, the third of six children born to Don and Evelyn Eichelberger. He was raised with his five siblings on the family dairy farm south of Kuna, Idaho. He worked hard growing up - milking cows, raising hay and field corn, raising his own pigs, heifers, and rabbits. He joined the Navy at 18 years old, serving on a nuclear submarine off the coast of Russia, among other missions, during the Cold War years. He served for six years and then returned home to Idaho. He worked in construction and became a bricklayer/mason, the job he did for the rest of his working life. He worked on everything from stores and schools to beautiful, artistic fireplaces and exterior stonework. Warren experienced some tumultuous years in his life but there was always hard work and love for family, especially his three children, Tony, Keri and Derek and the grandchildren that followed. In recent years he traveled on jobs throughout the west with his wife, Vickie, who often worked alongside him. They worked on jobs in New Mexico and Arizona in the heat of the summer, and Montana and Washington in the dead of winter. Occasionally there were jobs here in the Treasure Valley, where he could live in his own home in Nampa. They took advantage of each location to explore their surroundings, heading out after work and on days off; first one direction, then the other, to find the best fishing holes and camping spots. When he came home, there was often a family fish fry at his father's home to eat up the catch. Along with fishing, Warren loved gardening and cooking. Especially cooking from his own garden! He grew tomatoes, beans, peppers, carrots, onions, spuds and more. He was out in his wheelchair, weeding his garden less than a week before he died. In the spring of 2011, Warren got the news. Advanced renal cell carcinoma was already in his bones and he had two broken vertebrae in his back. He thought the pain was just how it felt to be an "old bricklayer". With his career over, he came home. Not to die. To live. He said "I'm only going to die once. Until then, I'm living". He spent the next three years doing just that, with Vickie at his side for every moment of it. He fought hard, through great pain, to live. He was incredibly tough. But it was love that fueled the fight. Love for Vickie and his children and love of life itself. His priorities were all about taking care of business and enjoying his life. He talked to all of the important people in his life, making sure we knew, not only that we mattered to him, but that he is okay. He knew where he was going and looked forward to seeing his parents. As with most of his pearls of wisdom, he was succinct. "Me and Jesus are just fine". Warren was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son, Eric Don. He is survived by his wife Vickie, his children, Tony Eichelberger (Shannon) of Rathdrum, Idaho, Keri Eichelberger and Derek Eichelberger, both of Kuna, Idaho; four step-children, 12 grandchildren, two great-grandsons and his five siblings, Chuck Eichelberger of Boise, Cheryl Keil of El Sobronte, CA, Kathy Henrickson of Nampa, Diane Hartman of Boise and Daniel Eichelberger of Emmett, along with their spouses and children. Last, but not least, his faithful and well-loved canine companions, Sissy and Sambo. We thank the fine people with Treasure Valley Hospice, who, even though Warren fired them once, came back at the end and were so gracious and helpful in his last days. Warren's siblings want to especially thank his wife, Vickie for loving our brother with all her heart, bringing such joy to his life during their many years together and then being his devoted, tender caregiver to the end. A memorial celebration will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 5th at Warren and Vickie's residence in Nampa, Idaho. Remembrances may be left for the family online at www.AccentFuneral.com. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.