Lyle H. Eastman

CORINTH - Lyle Hartley Eastman, 87, of Corinth, Vt., went to be with our Lord on April 10, 2014, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

He was born Dec. 17, 1926, in Pike Hill, Corinth, Vt. The Pike Hill Mines was a place that he fondly revisited and reminisced about the old days with his family throughout his years in Corinth.

Lyle was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and continuously made us all laugh with his colorful sense of humor. He was very proud of the time he served in the U.S. Army as a corporal, stationed at Fort Dix, N.J., until he was discharged with honors on Nov. 6, 1946.

He worked for Bowen Hunters in East Corinth, Veneer Mill in Bradford, and Rock of Ages in Barre, where he retired in 1987.

He was a member and deacon of the Corinth Bible Church in Corinth Center, a member of the American Legion, and also volunteered many years as a fireman for the East Corinth Fire Department.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and camping. Later in life, he became known as the wood maker of those brightly painted whirligigs that he enjoyed making in his garage on Taplin Hill. He loved gold panning and searching the area for treasures (a coin, or just a rusty nail) he found with his metal detector. He enjoyed his yearly visits to local area cemeteries, visiting with passed family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Eastman, of Corinth; a son, Larry Eastman, and wife Cynthia, of Corinth; two daughters, Dianna Hayward and husband Philip, of Corinth, and Dawna Fox, of Topsham; a sister, Gwendolyn Claflin, and husband Edward, of Ryegate; a sister-in-law, Gail Eastman, of Pike, N.H.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was predeceased by his father and mother, David and Bertha Eastman; two brothers, Earl and Reginald "Dean" Eastman; and three sisters, Lillian Martin, Helen Eastman and baby Bernice, who died at birth.

At request of the family, there will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 15, at 1 p.m. at Hale Funeral Home. Burial will take place at the family's discretion in the spring at the Corinth Center Cemetery.

Hale Funeral Home in Bradford is in charge of arrangements.

To view an online guest book go to www.halefuneralhomes.com.