Tommy Eaton

WASHINGTON - Tommy R. Eaton, 71, of Washington, Ill., died at 10:47 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2011, at his home.

Born on Nov. 26, 1939, in Decatur, Ill., to William J. and Theresa Cycotti Eaton, he married Linda K. Robinson on July 18, 1963, in Peoria, Ill. She survives.

Also surviving are eight children, Debbie (Sam) Graves of Pekin, Ill., Tom (Sandra) Eaton of Danvers, Ill., Tina (Gordon) Claypool of Metamora, Ill., Kim (Brett) Ulick and Chris (Jessica) Graves, both of Washington, Ill., Rondall (Lisa) Nannie of East Peoria, Ill., Randall (Tammy) Nannie of Spring Bay, Ill., and Richard Walls of Oklahoma City, Okla.; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Diane Stein of Washburn, Ill.; and one uncle, Bob Trainor of Washington, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tommy served with the U.S. Air Force and also the Air National Guard.

He retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1992 as a burner operator, where he worked for 31 years.

He was an avid Cardinals fan and an all-around sports fan.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Pastor Jim Gorby will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton, where military rites will be accorded by the Tazewell Military Rites Team and the U.S. Air Force.

Tommy's memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences may also be sent to the family.