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George J. Eastman, age 74, of Prairie du Chien, WI, passed away Saturday, September 11, 2021, at his home surrounded by family and scripture. He was born July 27, 1947, in Omaha, NE, the son of George and Hildegard (Friedrich) Eastman. He graduated from Campion Jesuit High School (class of 1965) in Prairie du Chien, where he participated in the ROTC program. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era, ultimately serving for 15 years of service. He achieved dual master’s degrees, including his Master of Business Administration and a Language degree in Lingual Arts. He was stationed in Berlin, Germany, working with the intelligence community before returning to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD, serving his last tour at Fairchild AFB, Seattle, Washington. After military retirement, George worked as a stockbroker in Seattle, WA, before joining the Internal Revenue Service as a corporate auditor in the Chicago area. George married Nancy Walter on December 14, 2007. He became his wife’s dependent in the United States Air Force, stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England, and Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He was an active member of The Shrine of Padre Pio Catholic Church in Texas, serving as a lector, eucharistic minister, and usher. George and Nancy moved back to their hometown, Prairie du Chien, in 2016, where George was an active member of the Holy Family Parish and served as an honorary board member of the Friends of the Library. He was an avid scrabble player (winning more than losing) with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Nancy; his children George Jr., Sascha (Azusa), Tatjana and Lee Ann Wright; his brothers Ken "Paco" (Linda), Leonard "Oscar" (Lori Kozelka), Michael (Sharon), Don (Deb), his sisters, Kathy Isler (Ken Isler), Patricia "Pattie" (Omar Muhammad), Gloria Erickson, sister-in-law, Anna Eastman; his grandchildren Nicholas, Jessica, Cameron, and Deryck. 4 great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews John Jr, Jeff, Jeremy (Sheila), and Joshua Eastman, Jeanne Powers, Erin (Matt Azlin), Elyse (Tyler Goulet), Emily Eastman, Melissa Eastman, Shelley (Dan Tesar), Jason Isler, Kevin Isler (Kaleena McHugo), Christine Isler, Aarica (Trent Berns), Megan (Richard Boyer), Kyle Eastman (fiance Jaimie Schmelzer), Derrick (Sarah), Bridget (Bob Wright), Daniel (Marc Schroeder) Eastman and many more extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John and sister Gail Maxwell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, September 17, 2021, at 11:00 AM at St John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Praire du Chien. After the burial, a gathering to celebrate George’s life will be at the St. John’s Hall attached to the church. Visitation is at the Garrity Funeral Home on Thursday, September 16, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a rosary at 6:30 PM. Visitation will also be held at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Military honors will be accorded graveside by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to River and Bluffs Animal Shelter or the Friends of Library. The family wishes to deeply thank the medical doctors, nurses, and staff at Crossing Rivers Healthcare facility along with the Crossing Rivers Health Hospice for their care of George over the years and especially for the wonderful care in the last few weeks. An extra special deep thanks to nurses, Sophie and Bridget for their help in the past few weeks. We all are most grateful for all you did for George.
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