Doyle Wayne Eakins, 82, of Whitewater passed away Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
He was born July 30, 1939, in Crump, son of Sylvanus and Hester Proffer Eakins. He and Wanda Hennecke were married on March 31, 1962, at Whitewater United Methodist Church in White-water.
Doyle attended grade school in Crump and was a graduate of Delta High School Class of 1957. He enlisted in the Army in April of 1959. His basic training was in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Doyle was trained as a radio relay and carrier operator and was then sent to Korea. On February of 1961, Doyle was honorably discharged at the rank of E-4 SP4 (T); during his service he received a Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of the American Legion Post 158 for over 40 years.
In 1961, he began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a lineman; he deservingly retired as a supervisor, after 32 years of service in 1992.
After retirement he enjoyed working on various projects with the Telephone Pioneers.
Doyle was an active member of the Whitewater United Methodist Church in White-water where he served in various roles and sang in the choir for many years. He was active in the community and instrumental in establishing the water district for the towns of Whitewater and Allenville in 1997.
Loving survivors include his wife, Wanda, of 59 years, two daughters, Debra (Tim) Bradshaw and Stacy (Craig) Carnell, both of Jackson, four granddaughters, Jessica Bradshaw, Megan (Caleb) Newcomer, Allison Carnell, and Miranda Carnell, two sisters, Deanna (Vincent) Friedrich of Oak Ridge and Darlene Eakins of Whitewater.
Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Donald Eakins; four sisters, Dorothy Scholz, Delthia Crader, Delma Stroder and Della Abernathy.
Visitation was Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, from 9 a.m. until service time, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
Funeral service was at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with the Revs. Don Kuehle and Jimmy Corbin officiating.
Interment followed at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of contributions to Whitewater United Methodist Church in Whitewater or Proffer Cemetery in Crump.
To send an online condolence to the family, visit McCombs Funeral Home website at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com; then click on the Tribute Wall tab of Doyle’s personal obituary.
Traditional gifts, cards and contributions may be sent to the family at McCombs Funeral Home, Inc. c/o Doyle Eakins, 640 W. Independence St., Jackson, MO 63755.
