Donald Eakins

March 11, 1928 - May 27, 2016

Donald Lloyd Eakins, 88, of Drakesville, Iowa passed away May 27, 2016 at the Ottumwa Hospice House. He was born March 11, 1928 at the family house in Davis County to Harry and Lucile Rudd Eakins. He attended grade school in Davis County and graduated from Bloomfield High School. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, spending 21 months in Japan. Don worked for Morrell’s in Ottumwa for 21 years and after Morrell’s closed, worked with his father on the farm raising livestock and crops. He married Jo Ann Miers in April 1952. To that marriage two children were born, Cheryl and Charles. They were later divorced. On March 11, 1969 he married Marieta Morrison Thompson. This marriage added a step-son in Don’s life, Charles Thompson. Don loved to go deer hunting with his friends, square dancing, and playing cards. In his youth he enjoyed fast automobiles. He is survived by his wife, Marieta Eakins of Drakesville; son, Charles (Debra) Eakins of Chula Vista, California; daughter, Cheryl Brownell also of Chula Vista; two granddaughters, Anna Eakins of Chula Vista, California, Danielle (John) Kennedy of Jasper, Georgia; two grandsons, Tyler Brownell of Carmichael, California, Jesse (Jennifer) Thompson of Conyers, Georgia; three great-grandchildren, Landon, Brody, and Emorye; and a sister, Margaret Turner of Carlisle, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean Eakins; and step-son, Charles Thompson. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. John D. Boatman officiating. Burial with military rites performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion will be at the Taylor Cemetery in Appanoose County, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday with the family present to greet friends from 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the Taylor Cemetery, Ottumwa Hospice House, and Look to the Stars Cancer Foundation.