CARMEL

Thornwell Clayton “Tom” Eckels, 93, of Carmel passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, at Manor Care of Summer Trace.

Born May 5, 1922, in Charleston, South Carolina, he was the son of Robert C. and Sarah Isabelle Brissenden Eckels, both of whom preceded him in death. On Nov. 6, 1975, in Indianapolis, he married Rita Burton, who preceded him in death Aug. 7, 2015.

Tom retired as the manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the optical departments for Montgomery-Ward stores in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbus in 1982. He served as chief pharmacist mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was assigned as a combat medic with the Fourth Marine Division on Saipan and Iwo Jima. He was with the second wave on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He also served as chief hospital corpsman V-6 with the U.S. Naval Reserve until his discharge in 1952. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8118 in Venice, Florida.

Survivors include his daughter, Deborah Anderson; grandsons, Eric Anderson, Chris Anderson and Robbie Anderson; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. today at Riverview Cemetery in Seymour with full military graveside rites conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled American Veterans 47 and Korean and Vietnam Veterans 7, all of Seymour.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project through Voss & Sons Funeral Service.