Jon Charles Eccleston

SPENCER: Jon Charles Eccleston, 78, of Spencer, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at Oakdale Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in West Boylston. Jon was the devoted husband of Joyce E. (Hagberg) Eccleston, who passed away in 2002. Their partnership was a constant in his life, and he carried her memory with him always. He leaves behind a family he was deeply proud of: his daughters, Sue E. Mitchell and her husband Steve of East Brookfield, Cheryl E. Eccleston of Palmer, and Robin M. Puchalski and her husband Lance of East Brookfield; his sons, Kevin R. Hansen and his wife Jennifer of Putnam, CT, and Alan G. Eccleston of Tennessee. He is also survived by his brothers, Leonard Eccleston of Whitinsville, Richard Eccleston of North Brookfield, and Lester Eccleston and his wife Joanie of Spencer; his sister, Laura Messina of Webster; and a large, loving extended family including his grandchildren—Jon, Samantha, Jens, Freja, Julia, Ian, Jeffrey, Rebecca, Tyler, Ryan, Jacob, and Natalie—along with several great‑grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who brought him great joy.

Jon spent many years as a self‑employed landscaper and the proud owner of Jon C. Eccleston Landscaping in Spencer. He built his business with hard work, loyalty to his customers, and a genuine love for being outdoors. He retired in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and craftsmanship.

Born in Worcester to Leonard and Mary S. (Ramsey) Eccleston, Jon grew up with strong family values that shaped the man he became. He was also predeceased by his sister, Bertha Nozak and his brother, Joseph Eccleston, with whom he shared many early memories. He served his country with honor in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery. His commitment to fellow veterans continued throughout his life as an active member and trustee of VFW Post 3439 in North Brookfield.

Jon cherished simple pleasures—time with family, working outdoors, and caring for the animals on the small farm he and his family kept. He and his beloved wife also treasured their trips to York, Maine, where they made many of their favorite memories together.

Jon’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the JHC Hospice team—Christie, Tiffany, and Emy—whose kindness, compassion, and steady presence brought him great comfort. He was very fond of each of them, and their support meant a great deal to both him and his family during his final days.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 29th at 10 a.m. at J. Henri Morin & Son Funeral Home, 23 Maple Terrace, Spencer. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 28th from 4 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Services, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515, or to Veterans, Inc., 6 Sheridan St., Worcester, MA 01610.