Harvey Eastin

HARVEY L. EASTIN, 93, of Champaign, IL passed away at 9:40 P.M. on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Champaign, IL.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in the Humboldt Township Cemetery, Humboldt, IL. Harvey will be laid to rest beside his wife, near his son and among his family members at the Humboldt Township Cemetery, Humboldt, Illinois.

Harvey was born on June 7, 1923, in Humboldt Township, Coles County, Illinois of French and Scottish ancestry, he was one of twelve children born to James H. and Grace L. Dixon Eastin. Harvey had five brothers and six sisters and is survived by his youngest brother, Larry Dean Eastin (Marilyn) of Humboldt, Illinois, and youngest sister, Elyn Eastin Pogliano of Decatur, Illinois.

Harvey married Jean M. Crist Eastin on November 18, 1943. Jean preceded Harvey in death at the age of 86, on November 15, 2009, three days short of their 66th wedding anniversary. They had four children: Dr. David L. Eastin (Cristine) of Wisconsin; Randall E. Eastin (1949-2002); Pamela J. Eastin Taylor (James M. III) of Georgia; and Debra E. Eastin Good (Douglas Glenn) of Illinois. They had five beloved grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Mr. Eastin not only lived through the Great Depression and Tri-State Tornado, he was a WWII veteran having served in the Army Air Corp as a combat engineer on numerous South Pacific islands and was preparing for the invasion of Japan. While in the Philippines, he built air fields and hospitals. For over 40 years, he worked "on the road" for the Illinois Central Railroad (which became Amtrak) starting as a fireman on steam engines. For many years before retiring in 1985, he was Engineer of The City of New Orleans (made famous in song by Arlo Guthrie) between Champaign and Centralia. He loved carpentry and busied himself building and renovating homes. He also built a child-sized sanctuary including pews and nursery cribs along with completing many other carpentry projects at the First Christian Church when located at John and Westlawn. Harvey was always available to be of help to his neighbors and friends, and was always a good provider for his wife and children.