Gerald O. Eaton Funeral Service

CASTORLAND- Gerald Omar Eaton, age 98 years and formerly of Van Amber Road, Castorland, NY, ascended to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Marjorie Hall Eaton. He is survived by the pride of his life; his four children: Harvey (Jan) Eaton of Deland, FL, Amy (Calvin) Schantz of Deland, FL, Bradley (Cynthia) Eaton of Charlotte, NC, and Carrie (Kim) Stockwell of Mystic, CT. He also left behind 9 devoted grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Gerald was born on February 5, 1926, in Lyn, Ontario, Canada, to the late William Omar and Carrie Wilson Eaton. As an infant, he emigrated to the United States and was raised in Fishers Landing and Alexandria Bay, NY. After attending rural Alexandria Bay school, he left his education in 1942 to take a job at Hutchinson Boat Works to build boats for the U.S. Navy. In 2000, he was awarded his High School Diploma in a ceremony for World War II veterans at Alexandria Central School. On May 18, 1944, he was inducted into the United States Army and served in the 42nd Infantry Division (Rainbow Division), 242nd Infantry Regiment, Company F. He trained at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, as a member of a 60-millimeter mortar squad before being deployed to Marseilles, France, in November 1944. His unit was raced to the front lines on Christmas Eve 1944 to blunt a superior German force that was attempting a breakthrough in Alsace, France. He was a veteran of intense combat that saw his unit hold the line against overwhelming German forces long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Their heroic efforts stopped the last German offensive operation of World War II. He was wounded during this combat and was awarded the Purple Heart. In addition, he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and numerous European Theatre medals. Many friends and comrades were lost to enemy action, and he always kept a place of special remembrance for them in his heart. On April 29, 1945, his division liberated the Concentration Camp at Dachau, Germany. He spent the rest of his life reminding people about the horrors he had witnessed and to never forget what really happened during the Holocaust. After the war ended, he served in the Occupation of Austria before being honorably discharged in 1946. He returned home to Alexandria Bay to continue his work for Gerald Reed of Fishers Landing and the Thousand Islands Bus Garage in the Bay. For a short time, he worked in the coal fields of West Virginia and learned how to fly before moving to New Bremen, NY, in the late 1940s to work for Everett Hall on heavy equipment. While in his employ, he met the love of his life, the late Marjorie Hall Eaton. They married on August 17, 1950, in New Bremen, NY. Mrs. Eaton passed in February 2015. Their 64 years of marriage produced many wonderful people and memories. They were the consummate “team” and were a powerful couple in making God’s world a better place. He was the last living member of the William and Carrie Eaton family that began in 1912. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Wilson, Hugh, Leslie, Irma, Thelma, and Betty. After the war, he worked for E.E. Hall all over the North Country, owned and operated his own pulp truck, hauled cream to Buffalo, and eventually went to work for Hoch Brothers Concrete in Watson, retiring in 1988. He loved the Hoch family and his job there. In “retirement,” he spent many productive years employed by Tom Beller as a heavy equipment man. Gerald was a man of faith, family, honesty, hard work, and duty to his country. He was a longtime member of the 42nd Infantry Division Veterans Foundation, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lowville, and American Legion Post #1662, Croghan, NY. He was a lifelong Methodist and attended the United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls, NY, for over 70 years. He served as a trustee at his church.

A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday July 6, 2024 at Beaver Falls United Methodist Church with Lay Minister Beth Monnat and Rev. Bruce W. Chapman officiating. There will be no calling hours.  A Celebration of Life gathering will follow in the church fellowship hall, all are welcome.  Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammond with full Military Honors.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beaver Falls, United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 66, Beaver Falls, NY 13305 or Lewis County General Hospital Auxiliary, 7785 North State Street, Lowville, NY 13367.

Condolences may be shared with Gerald’s family at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.

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