Post Messenger Recorder -

Harold T. Eichelkraut, age 87 of Verona, peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, May 13, 2018. He was born on September 29, 1930, on the family farm in Paoli to Alvie and Elfa (Becker) Eichelkraut.

Harold grew up helping on the family dairy farm. He graduated from the Paoli Grade School and then graduated from Verona High School in 1948. During high school Harold played football and boxed, and he was also the Charter President of the Verona FFA in 1948. He was united in marriage to Rachel Gust on April 7, 1951, at the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Verona. As a couple Harold and Rachel raised their three children on the family homestead farm until they moved to Verona in 1977. Harold was a former supervisor for the Town of Montrose. After moving to Verona, Harold worked at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station and then the Village of Verona and later the City of Verona Public Works Department until his retirement in 1993. Harold enjoyed playing Euchre and was a member of several leagues. He was a member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ-Paoli. Harold was an avid fan of the Badgers, Packers and Brewers; he also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He was also an accomplished card player, bowler, horseshoe pitcher, gardener, winemaker, and garage saler, but most of all he cherished spending time with his family and friends.

Harold is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rachel; daughter, Debbie (Steve) Versnik; sons, Harold "Junior" (Jeannie) Eichelkraut and Greg (Linda Becker) Eichelkraut; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Frances Eichelkraut; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Alton; and sister and brother-in-law, Charlene and Delmar Schmid.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Zwingli United Church of Christ-Paoli, 1338 County Road PB, Belleville, WI, with Pastor Lance Smith officiating. Relatives and friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI.

Memorials are suggested to Agrace HospiceCare, Inc.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.