Harold "Red" E. Easton

Harold “Red” Eugene Easton, 94 of Mattoon, IL passed away on July 20, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the First Christian Church, 1600 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Steve Morgan and Pastor Richard Eident will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow in Branch Side Cemetery in Gays, IL. The visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at the church. Masonic Funeral Rites will be presented at 9:30 AM by Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260 prior to the visitation at the church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home,1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of services. Harold was born on March 4, 1929, in Mattoon, IL to the late Omer O. and Inza B. (Reagin) Easton. He married Olive L. Smith on December 7,1947 in Mattoon, IL; they were married for sixty-seven years before she preceded him in death on April 3,2015. Together they shared five children: Rick E. Easton of Mattoon, IL, Brenda S. Herman of Mattoon, IL, Carol-Ann Farr and husband Robert of Warrensburg, IL Kathy J. Moore and husband Perry of Windsor, IL, Cheryl D. Camfield and husband Dennis of Mattoon, IL; fourteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; six great great-grandchildren with another on the way; two brothers, C. Dean Easton and wife Rebecca of Bloomington, IL, Bill W. Easton and wife Meriul of Punta Gorda, FL; two sisters, Virginia L. Driskell of Mattoon, IL, Sharon E. Dalton and husband Ronald of Gilbert, AZ; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded by his daughter-in-law, Karen Easton, three brothers, and three sisters. Red was a former member of the United Methodist Church of Gays, IL and later a very active member of the First Christian Church of Mattoon, IL. As a skilled electrician, he was employed by and a member of IBEW Local 146 Decatur, IL for over sixty years. Red was a proud and decorated member of The Masonic Lodge, active in several degrees: Miles Hart Lodge, IOOF Lodge, Etna Wabash Lodge #179, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Danville, High Twelve #089, Low Twelve #089, Royal Arch Masons of Illinois #85, East Central York Rite College #81, Ansar Temple (Cornbelt Shriner Club), and Apple Butter Scottish Rite Club. He served as District Department Grand Master of York Rite, past Master Miles Hart Lodge of Gays, IL, and received the high honor of the Thirty-Third Degree Mason. He liked to camp, play cards, and do jigsaw puzzles. He was an avid sports fan and cheered for the Chicago Cubs. With a passion for woodwork, He spent many hours in “Red’s Place” workshop in his backyard. He prided himself a true American, showing his patriotism by raising and lowering the American flag every day. Most of all, he was a family “fan”, always proud of his grandchildren and present in their lives. He treasured the memories and laughs over the years. Red will be lovingly remembered. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Mattoon High 12 Club #89 via Charles Coffey 144 Westveiw Drive, Mattoon, IL 61938 or Shriners Children’s St. Louis, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

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Harold "Red" E. Easton

March 4, 1929 - July 20, 2023