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Wanda Eastin

Nov 12th, 1937 - Apr 11th, 2023

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.

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Condolences

Sandy Smith

April 15th

We will miss Wanda! Prayers sent to the family. God be with you at this difficult time.

Bud $ Linda Martin

April 15th

Our sincere sympathies to the family. Wanda was a beautiful and vivacious woman of many talents. Heaven has gained another angel. Fly high Wanda❤️

Mike & Kayla Anderson

April 15th

God Bless! Peace for the family. Lot of memories Russell & Wanda.

Terry Igert

April 15th

Praying for you all!!!

Joe & Pam Harrell

April 15th

So sorry to hear the passing of Wanda. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Sammie Wickiser

April 16th

My prayers boys. A kind person. Both you "boys" in my prayers. Give Lisa a hug. All in my prayers.

Trudy Zimmerman Stanford I

April 15th

I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mother was so beautiful and so nice. Prayers to you all. 🙏🏻

Shirley & Randy Burgess

April 15th

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.

Don&Mar Ellen

April 15th

Judy Lusk

April 16th

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.

Gary Lehman

April 16th

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.

Joyce Meers

April 16th

Wanda you were a great person and a great teacher. May you continue to teach whoever God leads you!

Gene Wineland

April 16th

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.

Gina Bashore

April 20th

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.

Terry Igert

April 17th

I am truly sorry for your loss!!! She was a wonderful lady!!! We will be praying for you all!

Lucy Burgess

April 18th

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.

Phil Wiley

April 17th

Wanda was always so sweet and kind. She will be missed by all who knew her. Prayers for the family during this time.

John & Lisa Haycock

April 17th

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!

Kitty Wendling

April 17th

My dear sweet Wanda, you will be missed! She was a lovely lady, teacher and friend!

Crystal Luttrell

April 18th

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!

Betty &Duane (Patterson) Bryant

April 19th

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!!

Dana Doty

April 22nd

Mrs. Easton was my Kindergarten teacher. She will definitely be missed. Thoughts and prayers to everyone.

Roddy Courtright

April 22nd

Thanks for being such a great Teacher, will miss you.

Traci Ellis

April 22nd

So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of comfort and peace to all family.

Annette Backs Garrity

April 24th

Mrs. Eastin’s welcoming smile and tender spirit made her an early guide to a love of learning.

Roger Hagen

April 22nd

She was my Kindergarten teacher as well as for my 7 siblings. Such a wonderful teacher and person.

Shelley Eaton

April 22nd

Mrs. Eastin was such a kind and impactful teacher. She truly made a difference in our community!!

Tina (Hord) Young

April 22nd

What a wonderful lady. I have such fond memories of her from school! So sorry for your loss, Prayers for all!

Karen (Boyd) Foster

April 23rd

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!

John Etcheson

April 23rd

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.

Walterene

April 23rd

Heaven has a beautiful singer to join.. them all in the music of the angels.. Wanda so very special..

Nancy byers

April 23rd

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!

Kristina Rubsam

April 23rd

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.

Marilyn (Shehorn) Tarbutton

April 24th

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

Kelly & Mark Erwin

April 25th

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

Kevin & Susan Moore

April 25th

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 .❤

Brad Baker

April 28th

With Deepest Sympathy. She was a great teacher. So very sorry ❤️

Meryl Woods Jr

April 24th

So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Rob Boose

April 25th

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.

Trudy Hart

April 26th

My deepest sympathies. Prayers Scott and Tim and all of your families. She sure was a sweet and kind person.

Gail Mengel

April 25th

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

Mike and Rhonda Marshall

April 26th

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

Walter J. Chaney

April 26th

Thoughts and prayers for her family!

 

Candles

Sandy Smith
Brenda Bullard
Gary and Pam Sessions
Wayne Eastin & Diane Johnson
Debbie King Casell
Tina Stanfield Pieplow
David Bryden
Bud & Linda Martin
Linda Harrell Judd
Wanda Sharar Lacy
Norman Philli[ps
Don, Jane and. Darren Delaney
Lowell and Brenda K Showalters
Nancy Lewis
Casey &Debra Eastin
Peggy Coble
Don and Mary Smith
Mark Dunnigan
Mike and Emily Putbrese
Candid Jones
Larry Frost
Frank Norma Hargis
Phil & Jane Henson
David Eastin & Family
Joe & Pam Harrell
Rick and Trudy Zimmerman Stanford
Gina Douthit
Shirley & Randy Burgess
Don & Mary Ellen Knapp
Mike and Sharon Gray
Judy Kurtz Hennessy
Judy Lusk
Jean Guerrettaz
Steve and Nancy Mink
Gary Lehman and family
Sammie Wickiser
Clara Booth
debbie yates
Brad and Tina Briscoe
Don & Ann Stoecklin
Ed and Becky Knapp
Phil and Ginny Rogers
Neal & Janet Fehrenbacher
Brenda Bandy
Joann Stanford
Bruce & Nannette Richards
BILL & ALEXIS SANDERS REDDISH
Dale & Kay Murbarger
Melody Rice
Lucy Burgess
Walt & Doloris Brewer
Betty and Duane Bryant
Sheldon & June Smith
Sue Williams
John & Lisa Haycock
Sherry Eastin Tanner
Marsha Mink
Rita Haines
Brad Yates
Rick and Cathy Billingsley
Chris Dickey
Lowell & Brenda K Showalters
Sammie Wickiser
Gina Martin
Becky and Rick Williams
Donald Fry / Sheery Evilsizer
Larry and Sue Kramer
Kevin hudgins
Ilene Jackson
Sue Stortzum
Becky Stanford Stocke
Traci Ellis
Caroline Zink
Hope Stone
Scott Garrett
Prayers for all of you, Wanda was a wonderful person. Sheila Dawkins
Jim and Shelley Eaton
Rick and Cathy Billingsley
Mary Beth and Tom Lancaster
Dan & Cheri Gill
Cheryl McCarty
Bob and Beth Hilliard
Todd Henson
Mary Kenley
Pat Hilliard
Jim Fry
Walterene
Marcia & Mark Overton
Diana & Greg Rutland
Clay Snyder
Kevin & Susan Moore
Gene & Betty Pieplow
Tony and Janice Randall
Nancy Lewis
Meryl Woods Jr
Jill Dawkins
Don & Karen Hinman
Sam and Ramona Anderson
Jill and Jim Fehrenbacher
Ron and Mary Anne Ayers
Mark &Karen Jones
debbie yates
Micheal W. & Kristal G. Engelmeier
Cheryl McCarty

 

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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]

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