Jerold "Jerry" Ecklund

Jerold “Jerry” Frank Ecklund, 63, of Lima, Ohio, passed away on December 31, 2025. He was born on December 12, 1962, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to the late Alan and Elizabeth (Hansen) Ecklund. 

Jerry received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and chose a career in agriculture because he firmly believed that no one should go hungry. He dedicated his life to supporting that goal. He was a longtime member of the National Agri-Marketing Association and a treasured employee at Unverferth Manufacturing.

Jerry was a strong supporter of the Kalida Park Foundation, the Agribusiness Education Foundation, and the West Ohio Food Bank. 

Left to cherish Jerry’s memory are his husband, Paul Higdon; sister, Jeanne Fournier; half-sister, Toni Baumgartner; sister-in-law, Diane Ecklund; brother-in-law, James Fournier; nieces, Tracey (Russ) Ecklund and Lori (John) Phan; nephew, Carlos (Robin) Resendez; and many friends and coworkers. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jon Ecklund. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s honor to the West Ohio Food Bank at https://wofb.org/ 

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 1pm-4pm at Hanneman-Siferd Funeral Home, 506 N. Cable Road, Lima, Ohio 45805. 

Hanneman Funeral Homes is honored to serve Jerry’s family during this time. Condolences may be expressed at www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.

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