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E. Neal Eaton, Sr.


E. Neal Eaton, Sr.

Veterans Funeral Care E. Neal Eaton, Sr.

Earl Neal Eaton, Sr. was born on December 31, 1921, in Lost Creek, WV. His family moved throughout WV, OH, and PA, finally settling in Oakmont, PA, where he spent his young adult life. Neal later lived in Hickman Mills, MO; Park Forest, IL; Nashua, NH; and Dallas, TX. Neal retired to Bradenton, FL in 1987 and passed away there on April 24, 2010.

Neal served in the Army Air Corp during WWII from 1942 to 1946. He was based in Montgomery, Alabama; Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and Barking Sands A.F. Base in Kauai, Hawaii — where as a Technical Sergeant he oversaw the administration of 2,500 soldiers who serviced planes which were headed for combat in the Pacific.

Neal and Elizabeth Jane McMaster were married on August 13, 1942 in Oakmont, PA. They had three children: Jane, Neal Jr., and Nancy. Betty Jane passed on April 18, 1975 in Chicago Heights, IL. Neal married Sally Krizan on June 24, 1978 in Park Forest, IL.

Neal spent his entire working career in the newspaper business. He was an ad salesman, photographer, feature writer, editor and publisher of papers in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois. He also sold newspaper press equipment and was a co-founder and Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Publisher’s Equipment Corporation in Dallas, TX.

Neal’s interests and hobbies included singing, genealogy, working in the yard, and reading. He loved to write and used his talents to publish several books related to his family’s history.

A good listener who was kind, thoughtful, patient, sensitive, caring, charming, funny, clever, witty, smart, and quietly self-assured — Neal touched all those he met. We are all better for having known him.

Neal is survived by his wife, Sally; two daughters, Jane Eaton-Henderson and Nancy Fritz; four granddaughters, Shannon Henderson, Cory Parlor, Ashley Wisniewski, and Lindsy Fritz; and two great-grandsons, Camden and Colton Parlor. Additionally he is survived by his brother James Eaton, and two sisters, Mary Lou Berg and Martha Lee Collins. Neal was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jane Eaton; his son, Earl Neal “Skip” Eaton, Jr.; and two brothers Jack and Donald Eaton.

Neal enjoyed the time he spent in recent years volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Additionally, Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton has been extremely supportive of the family. Neal’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts be sent to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee County, 811 23rd Avenue E., Bradenton, FL, 34208 (phone: 941-747-4655) or to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 3355 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 (phone: 941-782-4900).

Neal's memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, June 26th at the Manatee Historical Village, 1404 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, FL. There will be a time to visit from 3:00 to 4:15 PM in the meeting room of the Higgins General Store. The park closes to the public at 4:30, and that's when Neal's memorial service will begin in the old church there.

Please come early and explore the park. Admission is free. Also, please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the heat, as the church is not air conditioned. In the spirit of celebration, Neal’s family requests that people wear bright, cheerful clothing (nothing somber, please). Join us in an upbeat gathering, filled with happy memories of a very special man.

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