Julia Kay Eichman, 70, of Neosho, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Coulee Dam, Washington. Visitation will be held on April 16th, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church, 3100 N. St. Louis Ave., Joplin, MO 64801. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, concluding with a luncheon.
Julia was born on December 31, 1954, in Manchester, Iowa, to Cameron and Deloris Christensen. She graduated from Stratford High School in 1973 and pursued higher education at Iowa Central Community College and Iowa State University. Julia graduated from Iowa State University in 1976 with degrees in Botany, Zoology, and Political Science. She later continued her education at Missouri Southern State University, earning a Missouri teaching certificate in 1983 and a Master’s degree in Botany from the University of Arkansas in 1990. While advancing her education, Julia conducted research at Fort Dodge Laboratories and the National Animal Disease Center. She also held positions at Country Pride Foods, First National Bank, Hardee’s, and Pillsbury in Joplin, MO. Julia then devoted 25 years to teaching high school sciences at McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin, MO; Seneca High School in Seneca, MO; McDonald County High School in Anderson, MO; and Wyandotte High School in Wyandotte, OK. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO, and Crowder College in Neosho, MO. Her passion for education extended beyond the high school classroom, as Julia taught summer continuing education courses at the University of California-Davis, the University of Arizona, and the University of Colorado. She also contributed to the academic community by grading Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Exams. Julia later returned to her love of analytical research, working as a Diatom and Algal Taxonomist for Eco-Analysts while continuing to stay actively educating until her retirement in 2019.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Julia was an active member of several scientific organizations, including the International Diatom Symposium, the North American Diatom Symposium, and the National, Iowa, and Missouri Academies of Sciences. She also dedicated time to philanthropy, as a member of the Joplin Jayceettes in the 1980s and later continuing her involvement as a volunteer with the Joplin Jaycees.
Julia was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed gardening, recreation, reading, sewing, playing with her dogs, raising her pet chickens and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, William (Bill) Eichman, Jr.; her children, Charissa Eichman of Coulee Dam, WA, and Christopher (Kristie) Eichman of Joplin, MO; four grandchildren, Chelsie Millard (Gannon), Colton Marion (Lauren), Cobie Eichman, and Karlie Eichman; and two great-grandchildren, Graham and Granger Millard, with a third great-grandchild (Baby Marion) expected in May 2025. She is also survived by her sister, Christy Christensen of Boone, IA, her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bruce (Choon) Eichman of Beijing, China; Nancy (John) Morgan of West Des Moines, IA; and Diane (Mike) Langner of Ankeny, IA as well as six nephews.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Tracy Christensen.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Missouri Southern State University Scholarship Foundation in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made online at https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/givenow.php by selecting “Other” from the fund drop-down menu, checking the “Tribute Gift” box, and typing Julia Eichman in the designation box.
