Mrs. Mary Jo Eickenhorst

Mary Jo Eickenhorst, age 72, passed away in Navasota, TX on February 3, 2016 after a courageous battle with colon cancer. She was born in Wilson, NC on July 26, 1943 to John Henry and Mae Belle (Sasser) McNiel and was the oldest of three children. After moving back to her father’s hometown of Brenham, TX as a youth, she attended school and graduated from Brenham High School in 1961. After high school graduation, she attended Blinn Junior College for one year, also in Brenham. In 1963, she attracted the attention of Herbert Floyd Eickenhorst of Navasota, TX, whom she would marry on February 15, 1964 in Anderson, TX. A son, Jason, was born to them on June 28, 1965.

In 1971, the family moved from Navasota to Conroe, TX. In 1976, Mary Jo began a new career with the Conroe Independent School District (CISD), where she would work for 22 years until retirement in July 1998. During her tenure with CISD, she held many positions, was a member of the Conroe Association of Educational Office Personnel, and retired as a Senior Buyer in the Purchasing Department. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved back to Navasota. In addition to her career, she participated in numerous volunteer activities, including working at the Christian Community Center and American Red Cross Blood Drives. She especially enjoyed helping with the chili suppers at Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as participating in the Seekers Bible Class. Other church activities included stints as Treasurer, Auditor and Secretary of the Congregation. Among her favorite hobbies in retirement were working in the yard, which she did into her 70s, traveling, and enjoying outings with her husband for lunch and a movie. Her travels included trips to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, France, Ireland and many of our great States, including Alaska via cruise ship. Though never having played the sport, she also became an expert on the PGA golf tour in her final years, offering commentary on players, courses and events. Mary Jo is survived by her son Jason Eickenhorst and wife Marisa of Alexandria, VA; brother Don McNiel and wife Sherry of Brenham, TX; sister Tracey Cramer and husband Michael of Brenham, TX; brother-in-law Curtis Eickenhorst and wife Doris of Navasota, TX; brother-in-law Larry Eickenhorst and wife Elizabeth of Navasota, TX; sister-in-law Debbie Honeycutt of Navasota, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She will be remembered as a bright, shining light in the various communities and churches she served, and will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1530 East Washington Avenue, Navasota, TX, 77868, with Pastors Matthias Dinger and Donald Kasper (retired) of Salado officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Navasota. Pall bearers will be John Flores, Chad Ross, Kyle McNiel, Korey Parrish, Corey Ross and Johnathan Flores. Honorary pall bearer will be GW Burlin. The family will greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Nobles Funeral Chapel, 402 East Blackshear, Navasota, TX, 77868. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Trinity Lutheran Church. You are invited to leave kind words and fond memories at www.noblesfuneral.com .

The Eickenhorst family would like to extend our gratitude to all those who touched Mary Jo’s life, including the staff at the Cancer Clinic in Bryan, TX who were so kind to her during her many months of treatment, as well as her dedicated and caring caregivers at Standards Hospice and Golden Creek Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, who selflessly give so much of themselves to those in need.