« Return to Obituaries | Print
Funeral: 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at Flora Community of Christ Church
Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, and 10:30 until 11 a.m. Wednesday at Flora Community of Christ Church
Interment: Brush Creek Cemetery
Russell 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.
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Nov 1, 1976 - Apr 13, 2024
Jan 4, 1975 - Apr 7, 2024
Apr 22, 1958 - Jan 18, 2024
Scott and family, we are so sorry for your loss. We will be praying for all of you.
Wanda, you and all of the family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God be with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Eastin was one of my favorite teachers in Jr. High in Flora. May God be with you to console and comfort you all. He was a pillar in our community. One of the best track coaches EVER and his great friend Mr. Hancock. I hope Scott, you can use the track picture for him as he wanted to do for his friend. He had told me when he talked to me he wanted to set that picture at Mr. Haycock's funeral.
So sorry for your loss, prayers for the Eastin family.
Prayers and hugs to you all during this sad time! God Bless you all!!!!
Wanda and family so sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our prayers are with you at this time of your loss. May God with you and comfort you.
Russell was my teacher in Jr. High when he first began teaching. Many years later he taught both my daughters. Almost daily my younger daughter would come home from school with a "Mr. Eastin said........" story to share. He was her favorite teacher. My family and I have many fond memories of him. During the school year I sported a cast from my knee to my foot for six weeks and he and Mart Haycock would carry me in a chair upstairs every day for class and back down again at the end of the day. Our heartfelt sympathies go to you Wanda and your family.
I always really enjoyed knowing and visiting with Russell. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. You are all very much in my thoughts and prayers.
Wanda & family, very sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed visiting with Russell when subbing.
We are so sorry for your loss. Russ was such a good guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolences and prayers to your family during this difficult time.
Our sincere sympathies, Russ (Mr. Eastin) was a great man who will be missed bu many.
Mr. Eastin was my teacher in 8th grade. He was one of my favorite teachers. So sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers for the family.
Russ was a dear Friend ,a great teacher He will be missed by all that knew and Loved Him Prayers for the Family 🙏🏻
Wanda and family sharing your sorrow. He was a great man
Praying for confort for the family. Mr Eastin was a great teacher.
So sorry to learn of your loss. It was a pleasure knowing you and Russell.. I know your family has suffered a great loss. You are in my prayers. With love and comfort for all.
I enjoyed Russell as my teacher. He was a good man at church and was always good for an uplifting comment and a laugh. He found humor in lots of life. He treated one as an equal human. His smile was constant and welcoming. Thanks, Russell, for sharing life with us.
My condolences and prayers to the family.
I was a classmate of Russell .... MCHS Class of '54. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
In our thoughts and prayers. One of my favorite teachers.
So sorry for your loss sending prayers and love to each of you. He was a good man and will be missed by many.
A truly fair teacher, who touched my life more than I knew in those formative years. MAy his soul Rest In Peace and May his family find peace with memories of a very good man.
Wanda and Family: Please accept our condolences for your loss. We have memories of Mr. Eastin as a teacher and coach while we attended Flora Jr. High back in the 60’s. What a treat it was when we returned to Flora to have him become our friend and Bud’s co-worker. I referred to him as Mr. Eastin and he’d tell me to call him Russell but I couldn’t do it. He was my teacher and I respected that. He had a great sense of humor and always had a smile. He will be missed by all who knew him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. RIP Mr. Eastin❣️
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. So sorry for your loss.
Your Dad was my coach and teacher in Jr. High. I always respected him, and just really liked him. So sorry for your loss. So happy to know that he had a relationship with our Lord and Savior !!
We are praying for you all! Sorry for your loss!
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great pesron and teacher he will be missed.
We had a very good tim e wintering in fla and camping in branson at treasure lake. I especially liked sharing at Brush Creek. I will miss him greatly. Love and Laughter Monk
He was a great teacher. Prayers for his family!!
Wanda so sorry for your loss, we will miss his smiling face. Have lots of fond memories or our times at Central Park. ❤️
Wanda, we are so sorry to read about Russell passing away. Thinking about you and praying for you.
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF RUSSEL PASSING. I AM REALLY GLAD WE GOT TO SEE THE TWO OF YOU IN MT CARMEL A FEW MONTHS AGO. HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND A REAL FRIEND.
Our Sympathy & Prayer's are with you & yours at this time.
Our Sympathy & Prayer's are with you & yours at this time.
Sorry Scott about your dad he was a good man and teacher. Will be praying for you and your family for comfort and peace.
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]
