Phillip "Phil" D. Eckelbarger

Phillip “Phil” D. Eckelbarger, 78, of Peru, passed away at 7:22 AM, Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Dukes Memorial Hospital. He was born in Peru on August 13, 1947, the son of Ovid and Ruby Pugh Eckelbarger. Phil married Dixie L. Gable at the First Baptist Church in Peru on June 22, 1968 and she preceded him in death on April 7, 2023. Phil was a 1966 graduate of Peru High School and was the owner operator of City Lawn & Garden in Peru. At the age of 13, Phil began working there for his father and took over the family business in 1986, which he ran with his wife Dixie until his retirement at the age of 71. While having innumerous interactions with much of the community over the years, Phil was also a lifelong member of the Peru Moose and Peru Maennerchor. In his free time, Phil enjoyed many things including motorcycle riding. From making the local paper with a picture of him and his mom (Ruby) on a leisurely town ride, to long road trips including the Outer Banks (North Carolina) and the Tail of the Dragon in the Appalachian Mountains, Phil liked to get out and enjoy the adventure. Phil enjoyed riding with his buddies to watch flat track dirt motorcycle racing in Illinois and Ohio. He also participated in some racing himself when younger, but it wasn’t on a motorcycle… it was on a modified garden tractor built for speed. He won the first ever Twelve Mile 500 Lawn mower race, setting a speed record that still has not been beaten. He also participated through the family Wheelhorse dealership at the Indy 500, towing the racecars around the pit area as well as taking part in the parade with the use of Wheelhorse tractors. Phil always loved the company of a good dog. He would drive around town with his four legged companions in the car stopping to get them a treat when the opportunity presented itself. The only one that loved ice cream more than his dogs, was Phil himself. He would often finish a whole gallon of vanilla ice cream in just two days. Phil also spent a number of years camping in his spare time with the focus on riding and enjoying horses that he owned. Horseback riding is where Phil found peace. He could be found on the weekends during the warm weather months relaxing with friends riding trails at Mississinewa, Salamonie and Tippecanoe State Park. Phil is survived by his daughters Debra Brown of Peru and Stacey (Chris) Sarver of Peru; grandchildren Andy (Mary) Brown, Megan (Matt) Mock, Courtney Sarver, Blake (Meagan) Sarver; great-grandchildren Michelle Rasor, Brody Rasor, Mason Mock, Miles Mock, and Collins Sarver; and sisters Sara Sue Whitcomb of Walton, and Della (Roger) Skeen of Westfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dixie, his brothers Bryce Eckelbarger and Byron Eckelbarger, and a great-granddaughter Mya Brown. A Memorial Services celebrating the life of Phillip D. Eckelbarger will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St. Peru, with Pastor Kenny Cole officiating. Burial will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Family and friends will gather for visitation from 12:00 – 2:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to an animal shelter or animal rescue of your choice.

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