Royce Lynn (Burch) Eckleberry

On Sept. 29, 2025, Royce Lynn Eckleberry peacefully went home to her heavenly reward after a long illness, surrounded and loved by family and friends. She was of the Christian faith.

Royce Lynn Eckleberry was born at East Liverpool City Hospital on March 26, 1954, to the late Martha Lee Burch and Roy O. Burch of Newell, W.Va. She was a 1972 graduate of Oak Glen High School and a proud lifelong resident of Hancock County, W.Va. On Aug. 16, 1975, she married the love of her life, Randy Eckleberry, in Chester. It was there that they would raise three children and make a home based on love, devotion, and adventures together.

Royce obtained her nursing degree at Wheeling Hospital in 1975. She practiced as an RN at Wheeling Hospital, ELCH, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, as a Nursing Supervisor working in home health, and for 13 years as a Nursing Instructor at the John D. Rockefeller Career Center. As an instructor, she touched the lives of many area nurses (and possibly scared a few others into straightening up) and left a lasting impact on their nursing careers. Royce retired in 2016, eager for the next chapter.

Royce spent her retirement pursuing the zest for life that made her personality legendary. She had always enjoyed sports, including skiing, tennis, and golf. Later, she expanded her exploits to include pickleball and any other competition that her beloved children and grandchildren challenged her to. Royce also especially enjoyed traveling and being anywhere near water, and took any opportunity to enjoy both.

Royce traveled far and wide to watch her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, and she loved supporting Jenna as a College Basketball Coach, no matter where the game was. She and Randy made many trips all over the country to see Alabama football games; and enjoyed visiting her good friends in Arizona, her brother Rich, and golf trips to every imaginable place. Royce spent the whole year looking forward to family vacations, and she thought there was no water like the Caribbean, with Atlantis and Aruba being her favorite spots to go. While Royce loved traveling, she didn’t have to go any further than her backyard pool to be content, as long as she had family and friends to entertain and to make laugh.

Above all, absolutely nothing made Royce happier than being surrounded by all her family and friends, and she would go to any lengths to make time for “her people,” and to spend holidays and vacations celebrating together.

Royce was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Roy Burch, as well as many treasured aunts, uncles, and cousins, and her in-laws, Ronald and Elaine Eckleberry.

Left to treasure her wonderful memory is her husband of 50 years and high school sweetheart, Randy Eckleberry; brother Rich (Tammy) Burch; son Jared (Annie) Eckleberry, and granddaughters Bristol and Danica; daughter Jade (Kace) Legg and grandson Kamden and granddaughters Avery and Kacelyn; and daughter Jenna Eckleberry; sister in law Denise Lamp; brother-in-law Mark (Gaylene) Eckleberry; brother-in-law Dan (Tammy) Eckleberry; sister-in-law Tami Rae (Paul) Koper; Jack Riley, as well as a long list of cherished nieces and nephews and close friends.

Royce Eckleberry led life to the absolute fullest and filled her family and friends with memories that will last forever. She had a passion for life and with Royce there was never a dull moment. She lived for the time spent with her family, and her legacy is the way she taught them to love and enjoy life together. The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers at Valley Hospice and Ohio Valley Home Health for assisting Royce with loving care. Donations are welcome in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Associate, PO Box 18485 South Charleston, WV 25303, with a memo line of “Upper Ohio Valley WTEA”.

Visitation will be held at the Arner Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services are Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Arner Funeral Chapel. Interment to follow at Shadow Lawn Memory Gardens. Pastor Dave Willey to officiate the services.

9/30/25