Jerry Eaton
Jerry Eaton, 78, Lafayette, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Bickford Memory Care in Lafayette.
He was born Feb. 20, 1942, in Warsaw, to the late Charles Eaton and Emma Lenora Barnes Eaton. He graduated from Manchester University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. He worked for Vocational Rehabilitation in Lafayette for 20 years. After retiring, he traveled the United States, working as a bus driver for Imperial Travel.
On Aug. 20, 1967, he married Eleanor Brubaker in Liberty Mills, and she survives.
Jerry was an avid enthusiast of steam trains. Growing up in Warsaw near a railroad track, engineers would give him rides as a young boy. He was also a builder of models, pine wood derby cars and model rockets. He was superintendent of rocketry for Tippecanoe County 4-H. Jerry was an Eagle Scout in high school. When his children were in high school, he officiated swim meets. Jerry was a member of the Lafayette Church of the Brethren. In his younger days, he enjoyed flying his two planes.
Along with his wife, Eleanor, he is survived by his children, Eric Eaton, of Speedway; Brandi Close, of San Francisco, Calif.; and Brad Eaton, of Lafayette.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald Eaton.
A celebration of life will be held Dec. 27, 2020.