Rev. John Eichelberger

.The Rev John Calvin Eichelberger was called from his labor to reward on March 15, 2018, at his home in Mauldin, South Carolina. He was born to the late Mrs. Alice Long Eichelberger Hall and Mr. J.C. Eichelberger on January 7, 1938, in Newberry, South Carolina. At an early age he moved to Greenville, South Carolina, with his aunt, Mary Long.

He married the late Eunice Gatewood and to this union three children where born, Priscilla Ann, Alice Lois, and Jennifer Eunice. In 2000, he was blessed to find love again with Rosa Campbell.

He attended Greenville County Public Schools and served in the United States Army, where he was honorably discharged. He was employed with the JP Stevens, Dunean and Parker Plants in Greenville, until his retirement.

Rev. Eichelberger gave his life to Christ at an early age, and developed a desire to help people know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. His love for the youth led him to help start an athletics program for the community at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center. There he led several youth to Christ and helped to shape their lives.

His love for Christ led him to serve as a Sunday School teacher, trustee board member and a choir member at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Joe Stevens.

After accepting God’s call to preach the gospel, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church licensed him on February 10, 1974, and he was then ordained by the Reedy River Baptist Association on June 28, 1975.

Rev. Eichelberger’s pastoral tenure extended over forty-years, to include Fairforest Baptist Church, Greenville, SC, Richland Baptist Church, Seneca, SC and Saint Mary Baptist Church, Due West, SC. Under his leadership, Rev. Eichelberger was instrumental in the relocation and new edifices of Fairforest and Richland Baptist Churches. He also oversaw the addition of a fellowship hall at Saint Mary Baptist Church. Although Reverend Eichelberger retired from pastoring in 2008, he continued to spread God’s word wherever he went.

The bond Rev. Eichelberger and his daughters shared cannot be explained by those on the outside looking in. He raised them to be strong, God-fearing, educated women, who were to always put each other first. They were the apples of his eye, and will always be “Daddy’s Girls”!

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eunice (Gatewood) Eichelberger; his parents; four brothers, Willie Hayes, Carrol, Dennis and Foster Ray Hall; a dear uncle, Cornell Eichelberger; and a devoted cousin, James T. Eichelberger.

He will be greatly missed by those who shared fond memories and the joys of life with him, including his devoted wife, Rosa Eichelberger; dedicated daughters, Pricilla Ann Eichelberger of the home, Alice Lois Eichelberger of Charlotte, NC, Jennifer Eunice (Dexter) Rutledge of Jonesboro, GA, Vickie Neely of Niagara Falls, NY, Lytonuia Cole of Miami, FL and Jacqueline (Edward) Dixon of Honea Path, SC; six grandsons, Peyton Xavier Eichelberger, of the home, Calvin Johannes “CJ” Rutledge of Jonesboro, GA, Warren and Terry Neeley, of Niagara Falls, NY, and Quintravius Wardlaw and Preston Dixon both of Honea Path, SC; six loving sisters, Mary Alice Syphrett, Carrie Ellis, twins Nancy Othetti and Lillian Ojetta Hall, and Peggy Jean Hall all of Newberry, SC and Dorothy Gary of Greenville, SC; one brother, Harry Lee Hall of Newberry SC; an aunt, Alberta Eichelberger of Silver Street, SC; an uncle, Clarence Eichelberger of Columbia, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.