Donald Eastman

A man of great strength and courage, Donald Eastman exemplified what it means to persevere through times of trial. He could come off as a bit rough around the edges, but inside he had a tender heart. Don was a devoted husband who also took his role as a father seriously, and it was easy to see that his daughters were the light of his life. A hardworking man, Don taught us that nothing in life is free, and that anything worth having is worth working for. He will be dearly missed while the memories he leaves behind remain forever near and dear to the hearts of his loved ones.

The decade that is sometimes recalled as the Nifty Fifties was a colorful time in American history. There was much to celebrate with the additions of both Alaska and Hawaii as states during this time in addition to the first American satellite successfully orbiting the earth. Barbie dolls and silly putty entertained our nation’s youth while saddle shoes and poodle skirts were the latest trends. Amidst this time of discovery was the year 1954 that was filled with unspeakable joy for one young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they welcomed a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on August 23rd. Donald was the second of six children born to his parents, Gerald and Mary (King) Eastman, and he was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Rick, Barb, Karen, Chrissy, and Charlie. His father worked at American Metals while his mother worked locally for General Motors.

For the most part Don experienced a typical childhood that was reflective of the times. He has been described as a Dennis the Menace sort of kid who was no stranger to mischief all in the name of fun. Don was a student at local schools who went on to graduate from high school in 1972. He got into motorcycles, which was a good fit for his free spirit, but he was in for quite a jolt when a motorcycle accident in his early twenties left him without his right arm. This sent Don in a new direction in life when he left his more wild and carefree side behind him to embrace a more driven and focused side. He went to college, graduating from Ferris State University as an engineer. Don was also married during his twenties, and although they later divorced he was always so very grateful for their daughter, Sarah.

Life was forever changed for Don when he met the love of his life. Her name was Peggy Joyce, and they were introduced by mutual friends. Peggy found Don to be caring and easy to talk to, and he was smitten right from the start. A whirlwind romance ensued, and after dating for a few months they were united in marriage on December 21, 1991, in Grand Rapids. Together they were blessed with their daughter, Nicole, in 1993. Don was a loving and caring father who wanted nothing but the best for his daughters. He was forever guiding them through their lives, often sharing stories from his own life to help them learn from some of the mistakes that he made firsthand. Don loved cooking, especially when it was for his family, and they were always amazed at his ribs, baked beans, and chili. He loved cooking for family events, too. To support his family he worked at TRMI in Battle Creek for several years until he was downsized out in 2010.

Throughout his life Don was a man of many interests. He liked boating and hunting since he was determined to not let the loss of one of his arms limit what he could do. Don also golfed with only one arm, too. Vacations were memorable times, especially because most vacations were spent in North Carolina visiting Peggy’s family. On one occasion they did take a fantastic trip to South Padre Island. As his friends and family can attest, Don was all about NASCAR, NASCAR, and more NASCAR. His favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and his family knew better than to bother him while the race was on. He was a member of Gun Lake Community Church and was also part of a Tuesday Bible study.

Later in life the accident took it’s toll, and Don’s walk became more noticeable. Still he remained proud and independent, only accepting help when it was absolutely necessary. Don’s health continued to decline, and he was later diagnosed with chronic leukemia, which subsequently led to other health problems.

The things to love about Donald Eastman are extensive as he was an extraordinary man to know and love. One always knew where they stood with him, and he wasn’t afraid to tell things as he saw them. Don had a great sense of humor and a contagious laughter that made him so much fun to be around. He leaves behind steadfast wisdom, timeless lessons, and priceless memories, but the thing his family and friends will miss most will be his unconditional love. Don will never be forgotten.

Donald Eastman, of Plainwell, died on Friday, July 26, 2013, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Members of Don’s family include his wife, Peggy; 2 children, Sarah Gomez and Nicole Eastman; 2 grandchildren, Nicholas and Janniah; brothers and sisters, Rick Bast, Barb (Toad) Ogden, Karen (Gary) Flick, Chrissy (Bobby) Harvey, Charlie (Kelly) Eastman; and his mother, Jean Eastman. Services will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at the Gun Lake Community Church, 12200 W M-179 Hwy, Wayland. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and immediately following at a dessert reception. Please visit Donald’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook. Memorial Contributions may be made in care of Peggy Eastman to establish an educational fund for Nicole or to help with funeral expenses.