Leonard "Ted" L. Eaton

On the early morning of June 25, 2026, Leonard "Ted" Eaton left his ailing 95 year old body behind to receive restored hearing, perfect sight, and a glorified body in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Born on July 26,1930, Ted was the fourth and youngest of the sons of LeRoy and Carrie Etta Eaton of Harrison, Michigan. The work ethic he exemplified his whole life, he learned in the home and the era in which he was raised. At the age of four he earned money for his first school clothes by collecting worms and selling them to fishermen on Bud Lake. When he was 16 he graduated from Harrison High School. That summer, he ran a local grocery store while the owner went on a long vacation! This was before the store had cash registers that did the math! Leonard was always highly skilled with numbers, dependable, and never intimidated by hard work. He married his childhood sweetheart, Loraine Birdsall, of Clare, in 1950, and he remained her greatest encourager and fan until her death, 3 months after their 70th anniversary. Together they raised 3 children, and were blessed by 8 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. Shortly after his marriage to Loraine, Leonard was drafted into the Army for the Korean Conflict and served honorably on the front lines. When he returned, he studied carpentry and built houses in Harrison, Clare, and Freeland. In the late 1960's, he changed his focus to selling cars, and found that this new profession perfectly fit his abilities and genuine, friendly nature. Ted never met anyone with whom he could not strike up a conversation. Unlike many in sales, Ted was acutely aware that reputation and word of mouth were of primary importance. His desire to do his best for everyone not only earned him repeat customers, but awards and accolades in Michigan, and in New Mexico after the family relocated. Leonard also loved to drive! Family vacations often meant driving for long hours with only an end destination in mind. A car breaking down while surrounded by buffalo in South Dakota, encounters with extreme heat at the Grand Canyon, or unpassable snowdrifts in the Rockies were just part of the adventure. After he retired from car sales, they moved back to Michigan to help Loraine's family. Ted found that their knowledge and appreciation of the art and jewelry of the southwest could be useful, and they opened a store. Eventually the southwest store evolved into a furniture resale business until Ted could no longer drive safely. But listing all of the ways Ted earned money, and the ethics by which he lived, misses his essence. Leonard Eaton was driven to help people. The money he earned was rarely spent on himself. He loved to provide and care for the family he deeply loved, and he was inspired by the example and character of Jesus Christ. Although Ted attended and prioritized church his entire life, his faith was expressed more in actions than in words. His family can testify that his unselfish nature, his determination to help no matter the pain or cost, and his insistence on doing the right thing, were a powerful and godly example. It was an honor to call him dad, and he will be dearly missed. In paradise, Ted joins his parents, his brothers, his wife, Loraine, and his daughter, Judy Byler. He is survived by his son, Jerry Eaton and his wife Connie, his daughter, Brenda Fellows, and her husband Walter, and many loved friends and family! The family requests that all gifts be sent to Brown Corners United Brethren Church. There will be a memorial and celebration of his life graveside for family at a date yet to be determined.

Leonard "Ted" L. Eaton

July 26, 1930 - June 25, 2026