Joseph J. Eich, 83, died at his home in Kimball on Saturday, January 23, 2010.  Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Kimball Cemetery with Pastor Donella Silveira officiating.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers memorials have been established to the family.  Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Joe Eich was born in Scottsbluff on August 31, 1926, the son of George and Sarah (Kling) Eich.  He was raised and attended school in Scottsbluff and Mitchell.  He worked on several farms in the Scottsbluff Valley and also ran a waste management company.  He moved to Kimball in 1941 and helped out on various farms in the area.  He worked for the Ewers family and met Laura, the girl who he would marry on November 23, 1946 in San Francis, Kansas.  Joe enlisted in the Army in January of 1952 and served his country during the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged in December of 1953.  They sold their farm in Mitchell and moved to Stoneham where they owned the Stoneham Bar and Grill for 2 years.  They moved back to Kimball and he worked at the elevator and then the City of Kimball Water Department until his retirement in 1991.  Joe enjoyed keno, fishing and listening to and playing the electric organ.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  Joe loved life and could put a smile on anyone’s face.

Survivors include his wife Laura of Kimball; son Richard (Becky) Eich of Gering; daughter Bonnetta (Scott) Nedved of Blackhawk, SD; brothers Paul of Sparks, NV., George of Scottsbluff, and Nick of Kimball; sister Mary Clodfelter of Scottsbluff; 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.  He was preceed in death by his parents, daughter Carol, brothers Tony, Mike and Jim and a sister Catherine Dooley.