Robert Lyle Eaton

Robert Lyle Eaton, age 93, of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 23, 2022. Lyle was born on August 29,1929 in Summitville, IN to Harlan and Mamie (Worth) Eaton. He graduated from Summitville High School in 1947. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for 4 years on the aircraft carrier, USS Boxer during the Korean War. It was a great adventure that allowed him to visit ports in Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines and Hong Kong. During this time, he maintained a lively correspondence with a young lady from Anderson and on December 13, 1953, he and Marilyn Ann Denman were married in Summitville. The newlyweds made San Diego, California their home base until Lyle was discharged in 1954.

Upon returning to Indiana, Lyle took a job in the plant security division of the newly opened Fisher Body plant in Marion. He worked there for 37 years, retiring in 1988.

He was a lifelong fisherman and enjoyed camping, gardening and woodworking. After retirement, he and Marilyn enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel camper and spent winters in Lake Wales, Fl.

Lyle was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Gas City, serving for many years as Trustee and lay delegate to conference.

In 2017, Lyle and his son, David, were privileged to be part of the 24th Honor Flight from Ft. Wayne to our nation’s capital, where he received a hero’s welcome and visited many of the great memorials there. It was one of the highlights of his life and he often said that he would like to give something back to the organization.

Lyle is survived by his three children: Ladonna Eaton Smith (Paul), John Eaton (Lynda) and David Eaton (Janice); 9 grandchildren: Melissa, Laura, David, Brian, Arielle, Ross, Wesley, Sarah and Maddie; and 13 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Meredith Eaton and “His Marilyn” to whom he was married for 65 years.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Colonial Oaks Assisted Living and Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center, especially Wesley, for the wonderful care they gave Lyle at the end of his life.

The family will receive visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 as well as 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.

A celebration of Lyle’s life, led by Pastor Jerry O’Neal, will begin at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at the funeral home and burial with military honors will take place at Anderson Memorial Park in Anderson, IN at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made on Lyle’s behalf to the Honor Flight Northeast Indiana organization at https://www.hfnei.org/