MOUNT PLEASANT – Mary Eastman was surrounded by her family on Thursday, November 19th, 2020, when she went home to be with the Lord at the age of 81.

Mary was born on March 28th, 1939 in Port Huron, MI to Lloyd and Elsie Burnell. She married her soulmate, Bud (Lawrence) Eastman, on June 8th, 1960 in Spokane, WA. They spent the majority of their early years in Port Huron, MI until moving to Wisconsin in 1977. In their 60 years together, they raised three children, Stephanie, Stacey and Angela, and loved 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Mary was known as a supportive friend to many, loving anyone who walked through her door. She was a particularly strong advocate for the underprivileged.  Mary was a compassionate caregiver for hundreds of students, including those with special needs during her 19 years as a teaching assistant at Racine Unified School District and Racine Christian School.  Always an active member of the community, Mary volunteered with P.E.O, Quota International of Kenosha-Racine, Hospice Alliance and her church, First Presbyterian Church of Racine. She will be remembered for her generosity, kindness and acceptance to all.

Mary will be deeply missed by those surviving: her husband, Bud Eastman, her three daughters, Stephanie (Mark) Barr, Stacey Karnowski, Angela (Mike) Tingwald; her siblings, Jim (Pat) Burnell and Gail (Fred) Herber; sister-in-law, Marilyn Bright, sister-in-law Grace Ann (Gary) Bordner; her grandchildren, Erica (Alonzo) Pearson, Aaron Barr (Jamie Christensen), Chris Karnowski (Abby Koepke), Parker (Jessica) Barr, Loren Karnowski, Megan Tingwald, Allyson Karnowski, Matt Tingwald (Andrea Weise), Joshua, Emily and Caleb Barr; and great grandchildren, Christian Karnowski, Crosby Lampark-Duport, Aniyah and Ava Pearson, and Jack Barr; many nieces and nephews, her best friend Myrna Kryger, and many others who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and Lloyd Burnell, stepmother, Evelyn Burnell, infant daughter, Andrea Eastman, in-laws, Oscar and Dorothy Eastman, brother, Larry (Jean) Stevens, sister, Bertie Ann Stevens, and her precious dog, Luke.

Due to the current health crisis, there will be a private funeral service for immediate family on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with a public celebration of life memorial to be planned for Summer 2021. Those wishing to join the service virtually may watch via live stream on this link https://youtu.be/xo07IHwXar0 shortly before 3:00 p.m. on November 28 ^th .   In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Hospice Alliance, Eco-Justice Center or First Presbyterian Church of Racine.

Service Details

Due to the current health crisis, there will be a private funeral service for immediate family on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with a public celebration of life memorial to be planned for Summer 2021. Those wishing to join the service virtually may watch via live stream on this link shortly before  3:00 p.m. on November 28 ^th . https://youtu.be/xo07IHwXar0