Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Russell Eastin
May 4th, 1935 - Nov 3rd, 2018Russell Dean Eastin, age 83, of Flora, Illinois, passed into eternal life with Jesus Christ on Saturday night, November 3, 2018, at Evelyn’s House BJC Hospice in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
He was born May 4, 1935, in Flora, the son of R. Dale and Lola G. (Coleman) Eastin. On March 3, 1957, he was united in marriage to Wanda L. DeSelms in a ceremony at Flora Community of Christ Church, and this year marked the 61st wedding anniversary they have celebrated together.
Recognized as a talented young athlete and student, Russell attended Graceland University and earned a degree from Eastern Illinois University, and went on to become a science, history, and physical education teacher for 38 years at the Flora Junior High School. Active in coaching and helping manage the school’s athletic program, his track team achieved a noteworthy state championship title in 1961, and he also served as boys and girls basketball coach. Demonstrating a resilient faith through his life’s work, Russell was an elder and dedicated member of the Flora Community of Christ Church. He and Wanda travelled throughout the United States in their motorhome, and they especially enjoyed trips to Florida. Russell’s hands were often busy fixing or building most anything including automobiles, motorcycles, or mechanical gadgets and devices, and he helped build two homes, including the one he and Wanda have enjoyed living in during the past four decades. He was a past member of the Flora Elks, and was a fan of old western movies and television shows like “Gunsmoke.” In recent years, his grandest moments in life became the time he and Wanda could spend with their children and the grandchildren he was so outstandingly proud of.
He is survived by his wife: Wanda Eastin of Flora; 2 sons: Russell Scott Eastin of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Tim Eastin and wife Julie of Denver, Colorado; a daughter: Lisa Eastin of Fairfield; 4 grandchildren: Dr. Marc Eastin of Loma Linda, California, Hannah and husband Lieutenant Nick Le Tourneau, USAF, Elizabeth Eastin of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson Eastin of Denver, Colorado; a brother: Robert “Bob” Eastin of Flora; a sister: Nancy and husband Iven “Bud” Bassett of Clay City; a sister-in-law: Carol Coleman; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Norman “Topper” Eastin; a sister: Delores Eastin Slover; and a sister-in-law: Lee Ann Eastin.
A funeral ceremony will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at Flora Community of Christ Church. Interment will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, and from 10:30 until 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorial donations are suggested to Special Olympics Illinois, and will be accepted through the funeral home.