William E. "Billy" Eich (1918-1997)

Peninsula Base Headquarters, Italy -- Cpl. William E. Eich of Route 2, Crown Point, is now serving with the 70th General hospital of the Peninsula Base Section. The unit was nearest general hospital to the Fifth Army front lines. It has had almost two years of overseas service.

Cpl. Eich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Eich, Route 2, Crown Point, formerly of Lowell, entered the army at Ft. Benjamin Harrison and has been overseas since August, 1943. Before entering the service he did well drilling and plumbing. He was graduated from Lowell high school in 1936.

Merrillville

William E. Eich, 78 of Merrillville, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 1997. He is former owner of Joe Eich & Son, Well Drilling; member of St. Peter & Paul Church, Merrillville; Wolrd War II veteran; member of American Legion Post #430, Merrillville. Preceded in death by his wife, Lena Eich. Survivors; seven children, William (Phyllis) Eich of Walrico, Florida, Teresa (Robert) Phillips of Norcross, Georgia, Louis (Elizabeth) Eich of Slidell, LA, Patrick Eich of Merrillville, JoAnn (Rodger) Soard of Cookeville, TN, Peter (Sandy) Eich of Palatine, IL, Mary Eich of Algonquin, Illinois; one sister, Helen Croell of Merrillville; two brothers, Paul (Margie) Eich of Merrillville, John "Bob" (Marge) Eich of Merrillville; 12 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 31st, 1997, 9:30 a.m. at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, and 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 5885 Harrison St., Merrillville, Rev. Dennis J. Teles officiating. Burial, Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville. Friends may call on Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Geisen Funeral Home, Merrillville. Parish prayer service Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and American Legion service Thursday at 7:30 p.m.