Caleb de la Cruz

James married Patricia Cecile Shapley [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Raymond married Jane. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Elizabeth Cecile "Betty" Eckermann. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; Postman
• Residence: San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas
• Residence: Boerne, Kendall Co., Texas
• FamilySearch ID: LDCM-ND5
• Residence: 1977, Kendalia, Kendall Co., Texas

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: from Walter's Funeral Service...
Walter was born in Bracken, Texas, in Comal County, on June 26, 1913, to Adolph and Elise Eckermann. A young Methodist preacher was staying in the Eckermann home at the time. His name was Walter Froehmer. Walter became the young preacher's namesake--perhaps an omen of the godly man he would become. Walter was welcomed into the family by three sisters--Wilhelmenia (Wilna), Anita (Nita), and Lillian who was called May and was but 13 months older than the newest arrival. The group would later welcome Raymond into the family, and then the circle would be complete.
The Eckermanns soon moved to nearby New Braunfels. And then when Walter was nine years old, they took a courageous, bold step - the family moved to another continent. Well - at least it seemed like another continent. It was SAN ANTONIO! Where the people spoke English instead of German, and policemen locked up children who dared to stray from the straight and narrow. Walter was petrified but soon adjusted to city life. He attended Mark Twain Junior High School and Edison High School where he played football.
After high school, he was bitten by the wanderlust bug, and he and buddy, Irwing Davis, and cousin, Homer Klein, "rode the rails" to Chicago TO THE WORLD'S FAIR, where they were eye witnesses to an amazing new invention - the escalator.
Several years later he fell victim to a bug virus even more serious than the wanderlust bug. Uhhh - it was the LOVE bug. Yes, it seems that Woody Smith, his old sparring partner, had a kid sister by the name of Violet. The love bug was far more permanent than the wanderlust bug, it lasted 58 years.
Walter served in the Navy in the final days of WWII. He also served in the San Antonio Fire Department during the 1940's. It was a job he relished - no doubt because of the adventure and daring involved. However, his father did not share is enthusiasm for this job and worried continually about Walter's safety. Finally, in 1947, he prevailed on Walter to throw his lot in with the U.S. Postal Service. It was a wise decision. He loved his job and the men with whom he worked.
It was during this time that Walter's life was touched and changed by his relationship with Jesus Christ. Under the leadership of Grover Lee and Ken Hutchenson and the ministry of Lakeview Baptist Church, his Christian walk governed every aspect of his life.
With mixed emotions he retired in 1977, after 30 years as a United States letter carrier.
But he didn't slow down. Kendalia was home by this time, and he was suited for the country life. Cattle auctions, Kendalia Community Club, Blanco First Baptist Church - these activities became his focus, but not entirely. He was free to travel and pursue and enjoy even more his love for the coutdoor activities - hunting particularly. Although he loved hunting, it was the camaraderie of his hunting companions that made it especially appealing - Jerry, Ernie, Raymond, Elmer, Edwin, Bobby - and then later Rob, Bob, and James.
He also had more time to spend with his grandchildren, Patricia Cecile, Robert Edwin (a namesake), and Alicia Jane, and to participate in their activities - and then later there were the great-grandchildren, Nathan, Andrew, and his latest namesake Jacob Edwin.
On July 30, 1995, at 9:30 in the evening, Walter Edwin Eckermann ended his earthly journey. It was a rich and joyous sojourn, and the Lord Jesus Christ welcomed him and said "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter now into the joys of My kingdom."

Walter married Violet Cecile "Vi" Smith on 19 Sep 1935. Violet (daughter of Austin Vivian Smith and Eula Nicholson) was born on 15 Jan 1919 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; died on 29 Aug 2012 in Blanco, Blanco Co., Texas; was buried on 4 Sep 2012 in Kneupper Cemetery, Kendalia, Kendall Co., Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
• Occupation: Blanco, Blanco Co., Texas; owner and operator of an antique store
• FamilySearch ID: LFB6-HLP
• Residence: Aft 1935, San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas
• Residence: Bef 1977, Boerne, Kendall Co., Texas
• Residence: 1977, Kendalia, Kendall Co., Texas

Notes:

Vi was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star for many years. She was also a long-time member of First Baptist Church Blanco.