1940 - 2016

DONALD EAKINS OBITUARY

OTTUMWA - Donald Dean Eakins, 76, of 519 Leighton St. died at 3:55 p.m. Oct. 14, 2016 at Good Samaritan Society – Ottumwa.

He was born June 28, 1940, in Ottumwa to Ernest Homer and Martha Ruth Steen Eakins. He married Sharon Babcock on January 28, 1961

Donald lived in the Galesburg area from 1968 to 2005 before returning to Ottumwa. He had served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960.

He had worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 35 years as a yardmaster and as a breakman. He and his wife had owned and operated Indian Point Campgrounds for 25 years.

He had attended Way of Peace Ministries and was a member of Brotherhood of Railroad Trainman, National Rifle Association and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. Donald was an avid outdoor sportsman.

Surviving is his wife, Sharon; a daughter, Connie R. Eakins of Oceanside, CA; three sons, Scott Eakins of Ottumwa, Ryan Eakins of Arlington, Texas, and Chris (Terri) Eakins of Canton; 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; three brothers, Jerry (Wanda) Eakins of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jay (Sue) Runnels and Jack (Dee Ann) Runnels both of Wapello; two sisters, Nancy (Ron) Honson of Rockford, and Marty "Coo" (Thomas) Troute of Golden, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Charles Runnels, an infant sister, Sally Ann Eakins and his step-dad, Ralph Runnels.

Private funeral services will be held today at Reece Funeral Home with Rev. LuEllen Worth officiating. Cremation followed the services.

Private inurnment will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery with military services conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post 775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post 3 American Legion.
Memorials may be made to the National Rifle Association.