Woody Van Eaton (Mansfield)'s Obituary
William “Woody” Van Eaton, son of William and Blanche Woodland Van Eaton was born February 10, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska and departed this life on July 25, 2014 at his home in Mansfield, Missouri at the age of eighty-three years, five months, and fifteen days.
On February 3, 1953 he was united in marriage to Wanda Baty and to this union six children were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Willie Van Eaton, half- brother, Joe Van Eaton, half- sister, Frances Wightman, parents-in-law, Rex & Jewel Baty, brother-in-law, Ed Archer, brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Betty Calhoun.
“Woody” is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Wanda of the home; son, Danny Van Eaton of Mansfield, Missouri; four daughters, Cathy Crisp and her husband, Doug of Springfield, Missouri, Julie Adamson and her husband, Rick of Mansfield, Missouri, Nancy Wilson of Ava, Missouri and Mary Smith of Strafford, Missouri; six grandchildren, Gina Benetti of Springfield, Missouri, Jessica Brooke of Bolivar, Missouri, Derek Van Eaton and his wife, Andrea of Hartville, Missouri, Jennifer Lemons of Mansfield, Missouri, Loren Smith and his wife, Destiny of Strafford, Missouri, and Kaylan Wilson of Ava, Mo; nine great-grandchildren, Devan and Donovan Benetti, Sophie and Silas Wood, Allison and Tristan Denney, Jayce Brooke, Lilley Van Eaton and William Smith; sisters-in-law, Lucille Archer, Pearlee Wilbanks and her husband Tommy, Diane Shaw; brother-in-law, Jerry Baty and his wife, Mary; many nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
“Woody” was born in Omaha, Nebraska lived in Sydney, Iowa and in 1947 they moved to Mansfield, Missouri. He graduated from Mansfield High School in the Class of 1948. He entered the United States Army in 1952 where he served his country faithfully during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1957. He was a Postal Clerk at the Mansfield Post Office from 1961 through 1987 when he retired. He was a volunteer fireman for the Mansfield Fire Department for 15 years and a former member of the American Legion and Mansfield Zoning Board.
He liked being with family and friends and in his spare time he enjoyed motorcycling, four wheeling, being in the woods and gardening.
“Woody” was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, and a caring neighbor and friend.
We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will cherish the many wonderful memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, or the donor’s choice and can be made through Holman-Howe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 199 Mansfield, Missouri, 65704
Visitation will follow the service. At 4:00 p.m. military honors will be provided by Clarence King Post #128 of the American Legion, on the funeral home grounds.
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