Eugene Walter Eschbacher, 95, of Carlinville, died on Friday evening, March 6, 2026, at Mari de Villa in St. Louis, MO.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 12, at SS. Mary and Joseph’s Church in Carlinville at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Joe Koyickal officiating. Visitation will be before the Mass starting at 9 a.m. Burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery in Carlinville.
Mr. Eschbacher was born on March 13, 1930, in St. Louis, MO, the only child of Walter and Mary Stuever Eschbacher. He graduated from Christian Brothers College High School (ROTC) and St. Louis University (ROTC) with a bachelor of science in industrial engineering. While in college, Mr. Eschbacher worked part-time for Valley Steel as a mail clerk. He became a full-time employee after graduating.
Within a short period of time, Mr. Eschbacher enlisted in the Air Force, where he was stationed near Inchon, Korea, for the final year of his two years of service. His unit was an engineering battalion that maintained the runways of an airbase outside of Inchon. Mr. Eschbacher rejoined Valley Steel upon his return to St. Louis, which eventually brought him up to Carlinville, Illinois, to be plant manager. What began as a two- to three-year stint became where he would reside for the rest of his life.
Mr. Eschbacher met Virginia Leona Wickman at a Cathedral Club event in St. Louis, MO, on Dec. 7, 1958. Shortly thereafter, the couple was married on Oct. 17, 1959; Mr. Eschbacher eventually went on to join Tubular Steel, then started Aladdin Steel in 1976 with three partners. Aladdin Steel was sold in April of 2023, after 47 years in business.
Beside Aladdin, Mr. Eschbacher had several passions, including 40+ years of the annual Christmas light display, being a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, his bi-weekly bridge gameand watching his children’s sporting events.
Mr. Eschbacher is survived by his childrenandrew Eschbacher (Deanna Dixon) of Seattle, WA; Roberta (Robert) Baldwin of Herman, MO; Robert (Regina) Eschbacher of St. Louis, MO; and Patricia (Wade) Bush of Cincinnati, OH; nine grandchildren, Nick (Jordan) Eschbacher, Adam Eschbacher, Alayna (Michael) Dickey, Katelyn Eschbacher, Daniel (Abby) Baldwin, Michael (Kalyn) Baldwin, Cole Bush, Logan Bushand Cooper (Chase) Bush; and seven great-grandchildren, Grace Eschbacher, Finnegan Eschbacher, Gabriel Dickey, Lilie Dickey, Caleb Dickey, Elliott Baldwinand Carter Baldwin.
Mr. Eschbacher was preceded in death by newborns David and Francis Lee; wife Virginia Eschbacher; and parents Walter and Marie Eschbacher.
Memorials are suggested to Ss. Mary and Joseph’s Church and Carlinville Lion’s Club. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville, is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.
