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Funeral: 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Community of Christ Church in Flora
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday evening, April 28, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora
Interment: Brush Creek Cemetery, south of Xenia
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wanda L. Eastin, 85, early Tuesday morning, April 11, 2023, surrounded by her friends and family in Denver, Colorado. Wanda, born on November 12, 1937, to Lewis and Nora (Warren) DeSelms in Zenith, now rural Xenia.
Wanda’s early life was spent as a typical kid in Zenith/Johnsonville, Illinois. Wanda and her parents relocated where she would attend the Flora Junior and High School and it was there at the Flora High School where Wanda met her late husband, Russel Dean Eastin. Married on March 3, 1957, at the Flora Community of Christ Church, they were inseparable from that point on. After graduating high school, Wanda went on to pursue a degree in Home Economics from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, as well as a BS in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University. Wanda fell in love with teaching and taught for 25 years at North Clay CUSD as a kindergarten and 5th grade teacher.
Wanda had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She was a private and quiet person, but also very witty and fun! She was fearless and independent, yet sensitive, loving and compassionate. One of her greatest joys was traveling with her family. Her most cherished memories included church reunions, cross-country journeys, and numerous trips to Florida.
As a child her personality came to life when on occasion she would sing live on radio, way before TV was mainstream. Wanda’s musical abilities continued throughout her life as she participated in Flora community theatre groups, Sweet Adeline quartets and numerous church choirs. One of her big adventures in her retirement life in which she and Russell spent the winters in Florida included working for Walt Disney World, in character, as Minnie Mouse.
Family came first. Wanda learned to be an exceptional mother to her family and special needs child. In this role she remained supportive, kind, and dedicated to the call.
Wanda is survived by two sons, R. Scott Eastin of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Tim (Julie) Eastin of Denver, Colorado, a daughter Lisa Eastin of Fairfield, Illinois, and four grandchildren: Dr. Marc and Marcela Eastin, Hannah and Captain Nick Le Tourneau USAF, Elizabeth Ann Eastin of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson Eastin of Denver, Colorado.
Wanda was predeceased by her parents and husband; her stepmother, Edna DeSelms; two sisters, Geraldine Clements and Darlene Pierce; and a stepsister, Marva Mae Moore.
Wanda remained a faithful Christian for her entire life, finding Christ to be her source of joy and strength and furthermore created an inseparable bond with the Community of Christ (RLDS) family. Wanda's life gave breath to Proverbs 31. “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates to come.”
A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Community of Christ Church in Flora. Interment will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery, south of Xenia. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening, April 28, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Wanda’s name to Fenney Cottage, 402 W. Douglas Street, Fairfield, IL 62837. Donations will also be accepted at the Funeral Home. To share a condolence or a memory of Wanda’s life, please visit www.frankandbright.com.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
We will miss Wanda! Prayers sent to the family. God be with you at this difficult time.
Our sincere sympathies to the family. Wanda was a beautiful and vivacious woman of many talents. Heaven has gained another angel. Fly high Wanda❤️
God Bless! Peace for the family. Lot of memories Russell & Wanda.
Praying for you all!!!
So sorry to hear the passing of Wanda. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
My prayers boys. A kind person. Both you "boys" in my prayers. Give Lisa a hug. All in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mother was so beautiful and so nice. Prayers to you all. 🙏🏻
We loved Wanda. She was as pretty inside as she was on the outside. Now she is reunited with Russell, her parents and sisters. Her kindness and smile will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Wanda was a lovely little lady. She will be missed by all who knew her. Rest in Peace, Wanda.
Scott, Tim, Lisa so sorry for the loss of Wanda. She was so sweet and caring. She was like a mom to me. So glad I could help her out anytime. She will be missed but not forgotten. All the stories she told me about her being minnie mouse and enjoyed every minute of it. She was good at it.
Wanda you were a great person and a great teacher. May you continue to teach whoever God leads you!
Went through high school and graduated at FHS with both Wanda and Russ in '54. They were a lovely couple. I Remember Wanda's smile and her positivity. My thoughts and prayers are for their family. R.I.P., Wanda.
So sorry to hear this news. I can still vividly remember her skits at church camp singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop" dressed in her frilly dress and her huge lollipop prop. She was a fun and very nice woman that loved her family very much.
I am truly sorry for your loss!!! She was a wonderful lady!!! We will be praying for you all!
Wanda was a dear sweet lady. Our families shared so many wonderful years of friendship and worship together in our church. Prayers for Scott, Tim and Lisa.
Wanda was always so sweet and kind. She will be missed by all who knew her. Prayers for the family during this time.
Sorry to hear of the news of Ms. Wanda. She was such a sweet little lady and we enjoyed hearing her stories of Russell & Mart. She also had such a sweet smile and laugh. Continued prayers for all of you!
My dear sweet Wanda, you will be missed! She was a lovely lady, teacher and friend!
My sweet, beautiful kindergarten teacher! Wanda never failed to greet me with a huge smile and a moment to check up on my family. Such a beautiful soul! She will be missed by all who knew her!
So many fond memories of Wanda and family!! She was such a beautiful lady inside and out!! God still has a “SPECIAL PLACE” for Wanda helping others with all her heart! RIP Wanda! Never forgotten!!
Mrs. Easton was my Kindergarten teacher. She will definitely be missed. Thoughts and prayers to everyone.
Thanks for being such a great Teacher, will miss you.
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of comfort and peace to all family.
Mrs. Eastin’s welcoming smile and tender spirit made her an early guide to a love of learning.
She was my Kindergarten teacher as well as for my 7 siblings. Such a wonderful teacher and person.
Mrs. Eastin was such a kind and impactful teacher. She truly made a difference in our community!!
What a wonderful lady. I have such fond memories of her from school! So sorry for your loss, Prayers for all!
I don’t know how to express the depth of my sympathy for the loss of your mother and my dear friend. You know that she loved you three beyond measure! No matter how many challenges life gave her, Wanda always faced them with positivity. She helped me through challenges in my life for sure! She was my “next door neighbor” at school for so many years as we enjoyed the fun of teaching kindergarten and first graders. So many stories! I know you are comforted knowing that she is now with your dad and enjoying the fruits of her labor here on earth. Though I live too far away to be with you on Friday and Saturday, please know you will be in my thoughts and prayers!
cherish many memories …….youth camp, reunion and Wanda’s compassion for life and family. Her smile was her signature of love for life and her Creator. Thank God that our paths crossed.
Heaven has a beautiful singer to join.. them all in the music of the angels.. Wanda so very special..
My dear friend, I wonder how many lives you have influenced. I know my children were all blessed to have wanda as their entry to school. I worked as a teachers aide with her and we remained friends,singing together in many cantata and community events. Fly high Wanda!
Mrs. Eastin was my Kindergarten teacher at North Clay. She was an amazing teacher. She always had a smile on her face, and I always thought she was so beautiful. My deepest condolences to the family.
To the Eastin Family: I was so sorry to see and hear that your Loved One and my sister in Christ has passed away. I am Marilyn (Shehorn) Tarbutton from southern Illinois I went to church at Poplar Creek where I became a member of the church and I also went to several reunions at Brush Creek. I remember Wanda when we were young girls. I knew Wanda Dad and Mom and always liked to hear Lewis preach a sermon. I know that all of you will miss her but remember all the good times you had with her over the years as the memories are so precious. Prayers for all of you at this time and always. With my deepest sympathy, love and blessings. A sister in Christ Marilyn
I, too, was fortunate enough to have Mrs. Eastin as my kindergarten teacher in the late 60's. What a wonderful lady! She touched so many young lives and left a lasting impact on all of us. RIP Mrs. Eastin. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. -Mark
Wanda brought light into every gathering I remember . Her smile and the twinkle in her eyes always made you feel loved , and that she was happy to see you. She was encourager to always press on in the faith . I shall always remember and be thankful to have known her as "old Aunt Wanda" . I called her that in greeting many years ago . The "old" lit up that smile and she never let me forget it . She would refer to herself saying it's your "OLD" aunt Wanda ! Till we meet again dear lady. Prayers for all of the family .❤
With Deepest Sympathy. She was a great teacher. So very sorry ❤️
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I was so fortunate to have Mrs. Eastin as my 1st teacher. To this day I can still remember her love and compassion for teaching and of course those wonderful nap times! She will forever be loved and cherished! May God hold the Eastin family close in his arms in their time of mourning.
My deepest sympathies. Prayers Scott and Tim and all of your families. She sure was a sweet and kind person.
I was honored to know Wanda and Russell and treasure the memories of so many experiences in Congregations in the Brush Creek area and the campground. Your mom lived life fully and well. I offer my sincere sympathy and loving regards to all the family and friends. I pray that God will bless you with the assurance of the Spirit during these difficult days. Blessings, Gail Mengel
Thankful for so many shared memories with Wanda and family at Brush Creek. I especially love the fun and joy she brought to the “talent show.” I will miss conversations with my dear friend. Wanda, keep smiling and enjoy the presence of those that you are reunited with on that “old old path.” Much love, joy, hope, and peace to Scott, Tim, and Lisa
Thoughts and prayers for her family!
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
