Morris W. Eaton
Morris W. 'Flash' Eaton, 96, of Elkville, passed away at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
He was born Feb. 19, 1917 in Hallidayboro, Ill., the son of Loren and Bess (Spangler) Eaton.
Morris married Genevieve Richerson on March 24, 1937 at Jonesboro, Ill. and she preceded him in death on Jan. 25, 1997.
He is survived by four daughters: Carole Bailey and husband Bob of Atlanta, Ga., Marsha Robinson and husband Paul of Cape Coral, Fla., Donna Piper of Elkville and Tara Trickett and husband Rick of Tallahassee, Fla., 11 grandchildren- Greg Bailey, Beth Bailey Zerpa, Zach Robinson, Rena Braun, Stephanie Negip, Cynthia Robinson, Theresa Robinson, Kathy Elson, Travis Trickett, Chance Trickett and Clint Trickett, nine great grandchildren- Victor Zerpa, Tyler Braun, Lindsey Braun, Alexandra Braun, Brittney Salgado, Brandy Naylor, Lauren Elson, Jessica Elson and Maggie Elson and two great great grandson- Adrian Salgado and Nathan Naylor.
His parents, one sister- Velma Aken, his son - Morris Edward Eaton, his son-in-law and best friend - Jim Piper also preceded Morris in death.
After graduating from Elkville High School in 1934, he worked as a coal-miner for 20 years at the Old and New Kathleen Mines; served on the State of Illinois Parole Review Board; was a local Justice of the Peace and also tuned pianos. For over 15 years, Morris was a Real Estate Broker for Murden Realty Company and Cherry Realty Company in Carbondale. During the latter part of the 60's, he began his third major profession as an Illinois Parole Officer, eventually named Supervisor of the Southern Illinois Region from Springfield to Cairo. After he retired in 1983, Morris was elected Elk Township Supervisor. As for hobbies, he played the organ and electronic keyboard, loved attending Jam Sessions on Monday nights at the Elkville Civic Center, Doerr's Auctions and going to the Elkville Senior Pool Room. He was an avid golfer and gardener throughout his life (known for his tomatoes), was a member of Crab Orchard Golf Club and won many trophies in the Senior Division including a Hole in One. Morris was a strong supporter of the SIU Saluki Softball teams, the Elverado High School Girls Softball teams, and known far and wide by his trademark name-brand cigars ("never smoked, only chewed!"). He was a member of the Toastmasters and the Elks. Morris was an avid reader and enjoyed watching the weather, news, boxing, college football (Florida State and West Virginia University) and Encore Westerns on TV. In 2005, Mr. Bob Booker produced a short film about Morris entitled: Morris 'Flash' Eaton, a Man of Southern Illinois. It won the Little Muddy Film Festival at SIU.
The family would like to give special thanks to Morris' caregivers: Mary Craig and Vickie Killingsworth, Dr. Moore, Dr. Le, Dr. Fasnacht and Dr. Kamran for their "above and beyond" care and service.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2013 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Bro. Gary Pruitt officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday morning before the service time at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Elkville Cemetery at Elkville.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Jim Piper Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Morris. Morris will be remembered and missed by all who loved him.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.