Douglas Neil Easton's Obituary
Decatur – Douglas Neil Easton, 65, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2015. He was surrounded by the people that meant the most to him in his life: his wife of 44 years Susan, his daughter and her fiancé, Erika and Scott Goetter, his son and his daughter in law, Mitchell and Ariane and his 90 year old mother, Kathleen. Doug was affectionately known by loved ones as “Poppito” and “Poppy.”
Born on May 1, 1950 in Terre Haute, Indiana, he grew up loving sports, especially playing basketball outside. He met the love of his life, Suzy, at Eisenhower High School, where he graduated in 1968, and continued his education at Eastern Illinois University. Doug and Suzy married in 1971 and after college he began a successful life long career in sales. Doug and Suzy enjoyed traveling to the Irish countryside and skiing in Colorado. He loved playing softball and participating in the Gus Macker basketball tournaments. In 1982, their daughter Erika Paige was born and that is when his dedicated career as a family man began. In 1984, Doug and Suzy added to their family and Mitchell James was born. Family came first for Doug and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Suzy, Erika and Mitchell. His second love of life was golden retrievers, of which he had four: Jenny, Emma, Chloe, and Lily. You could always find him in the backyard tossing the ball to his beloved goldens, as well as walking them daily around the neighborhood. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved gardening and kept a beautiful, spacious backyard that his “grandpuppies” would later enjoy. Nimbus, Clementine, Luna, Teddy and Cosmo always had a blast at Doug’s doggy daycare. Doug loved to golf, read, watch the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Bears (when they were winning!) and was a history buff. He loved visiting his daughter in Nashville, where there was always sunshine, a great patio and a cold Yuengling waiting for him. One special moment took place in November 2012 when the whole family took in a Bears game in Nashville. He loved to take Sunday drives and was a regular at Panera every morning at 5:45am. In August of 2014 Doug’s legacy was born. Anya Margaret Easton (daughter of Mitchell and Ariane) came into our lives and made every day better and brighter with her smile. Doug’s nickname for Anya was “Peppito” and she loved his baseball caps. They were many conversation starters because they were so rare and unique. Doug was very brave and strong throughout his battle, as he always thought of his family first and didn’t want us to worry. Words cannot describe the hole that is left in our family without Doug in the physical world, and he will be missed every day.
Doug is survived by his mother Kathleen, wife Suzy, daughter Erika and fiancé Scott, son Mitchell and daughter in law Ariane, granddaughter Anya, granddogs Nimbus, Clementine, Luna, Teddy and Cosmo, brother David and sister in law Sue and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father Kermit Easton.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Stephen Goetter for his care and compassion.
Services to celebrate Doug’s life will be 1 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2015 at First Christian Church, 3350 N MacArthur Rd, Decatur. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Homeward Bound, Macon County Animal Shelter or Humane Society of Decatur.
The family of Douglas Neil Easton is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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