Kenneth "Ken" E. Eakins

Kenneth E. ” Ken” Eakins, 86, of Osceola passed away on Friday October 25, 2024, at Raclin House Center for Hospice Mishawaka.

Kenneth was born on January 28, 1938, in Mishawaka, as the son of the late Ernest and Thelma (Holmes) Eakins, A Brother, Son, Husband, Father, Grandpa, Papaw and Pawpaw Ken. He was the second oldest in the family of five boys; Gerald Eakins, Robert “Bob” Eakins, Larry Eakins and Neil Eakins, all preceded him in death.

On October 4, 1959, in Mishawaka he married Suzanne Jean Bentz, they celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary earlier this month. Together they raised four much loved children, Dawn (Steve) Nelson of Ft Payne, AL; Bryan (Jacquie) Eakins of Mooresville, NC; Cindy (Phil) Batalis of Granger, IN and Lisa (JB) Brown of Bremen, IN all who survive along with their blessed eight grandchildren; Autumn Stepp (Nathan) of Huntsville, AL; Amber Linder (Christopher) of Ft. Payne, AL; Stephanie Batalis of Washington, DC; Jason Batalis of Granger, IN; Jordan Brown - Wielgos (JP) of Bremen, IN; Ryan Topper (Brooke) of Plymouth, IN; Matthew Eakins, of Mooresville, NC; and Brandon Eakins of Mooresville, NC. Great Grandchildren; Brylee Clark and Leo Linder both of Ft. Payne, AL. and a special niece, Jackie Rohdy of Dowagiac, MI (Chuck Furaitar).

Lived for several years in Erwin, TN and in Elkhart, IN. In 1967 he built the home where he and his wife continue to live. For twenty years Ken was employed in the Transportation Industry as Terminal Manger for Consolidated Freightways and East Texas Motor Freight – ABF Freight System. The next twenty years he spent working in the commercial construction industry as a Jobsite Foreman, retiring from Kaser-Spraker Construction Company in 2005.

Ken was past President of the Michiana Transportation Club, the Osceola Little League and the Penn Booster Club, He actively served in all these organizations and coached both Little League baseball and softball teams. An active member of First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka and served as an usher for many years.

A master craftsman of beautiful projects on the lathe, from pens to Christmas ornaments. He could “fix” anything and usually did not have to purchase a part, because he already had it somewhere in his garage. He always had a “garage project” arranged for his grandchildren when they came to visit.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 30th from 11:00 am till 1:00 PM in First United Methodist Church Mishawaka 202 E, Third Street Mishawaka, IN 46544. Funeral Services will begin at 1:00 pm with Pastor Andrew Suite and Pastor Joyce Kuhn officiating, burial will follow in Olive Cemetery, Elkhart, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Mishawaka. Hahn Funeral Home Mishawaka is entrusted with arrangements. To leave an online condolence please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com  

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