Funeral service focuses on dedication to Belleville and hard work by former ‘Mayor Mark’

He was a paper boy, an ambulance driver, a paramedic, a deputy sheriff, a firefighter, an American Red Cross coordinator, a chimney sweep, a florist, an alderman, a hospice volunteer, a scoutmaster, a neighborhood activist, a board member and a family man.

Most notably, Mark Eckert served as Belleville’s mayor for more than 16 years, from 2004 to 2021.

Eckert was honored Monday with a funeral service at St. Paul United Church of Christ that focused largely on his love of family and friends and his dedication to his hometown.

“Mayor Eckert had a deep passion for the people and welfare of the city of Belleville,” said the Rev. Ed Weston, longtime friend and retired pastor at Union United Methodist Church.

“Even though his style and decisions might not be what others would do, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind, I hope, that the city was in his heart on every decision.”

Phil Silsby, retired Belleville West High School principal and former Belleville alderman, described Eckert as a “lamplight” and a “bridge” who inspired and brought people together.

Silsby recalled how Eckert wouldn’t take “no” for an answer in 2004, when he asked Silsby to replace him as Ward 5 alderman. Eckert was leaving the post because he had been appointed mayor.

Eckert later won election to serve four terms, and Silsby ended up on Belleville City Council for 12 years. He witnessed first-hand how hard Eckert worked to improve the city.

“Mark Eckert was all about service,” Silsby said. “It didn’t matter what it took to get something done. He would be the first in there leading us and enjoying every minute of it.”

Eckert died Wednesday after a seven-month battle with cancer. He was 67.

Hundreds of area residents offered support to his family at visitations on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning at the church. Eckert is survived by his wife, Rita, and four children, Kate Kotler, Lucy Eckert, Matt Eckert and Luke Eckert, and four grandchildren.

There were plenty of tears and hugs, but speakers at the funeral service also used humor to remember the former mayor.

The Rev. Michelle Torigian told the crowd that Eckert insisted on giving her a driving tour of Belleville in 2018, when she became pastor at St. Paul, despite the fact she had grown up in the city. They later attended meetings together and discussed local issues such as homelessness.

“Mark cared about the people of this city, no matter where they were on life’s journey,” she said.

Several speakers referred to stories (not fit for discussion in church, one joked) from Eckert’s days as a driver with Pete Gaerdner Funeral Home and Paramedic Ambulance Service.

Deacon Doug Boyer, Catholic Diocese of Belleville chancellor and close friend of Eckert with his wife, Geri Boyer, guessed that “Mayor Mark” was in heaven enjoying a glass of Cabernet, a slice of Bennie’s pizza and some “Tavern salmon,” referring to Tavern on Main.

Doug Boyer said Eckert wanted to build a “kingdom of God” in Belleville with respectful and cooperative residents, as well as mowed yards and functioning sewers.

“His work is done, but ours continues, and I think he would genuinely be appalled if we didn’t take up that task and run with it,” Boyer said. “He never wants us to become complacent or disheartened, but to make our community, and maybe Swansea, a little bit better.”

Many aldermen, city employees, community leaders and area mayors, including current Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory, attended the funeral service, which lasted about an hour.

Artifacts from Eckert’s tenure as mayor were displayed in the lobby, including his wooden gavel, name plate, ceramic mug from the city’s bicentennial and even a Mark Eckert bobblehead.

A metal “Mayor Eckert” sign from his parking space at Belleville City Hall leaned against his oak casket, which was topped with sunflowers and yellow roses. The pianist played the Frank Sinatra song “My Way” shortly before the funeral service began.

Afterward, a Renner Funeral Home hearse carried Eckert’s casket past Belleville City Hall and down East Main Street to his final resting place at Walnut Hill Cemetery. Some residents waved flags or stood with hands over their hearts to show their respect.