John Harland Eastburn, 86, Springfield, passed away Tuesday, at 3:50 a.m. in the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, after a long illness. He was born in Springfield, on December 7, 1925. Johnny was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, where he was awarded the purple heart and the bronze star for his service to his country. Johnny was a life-long member of Dale Street United Methodist Church. He retired from the City of Springfield, in 1992 after 24 years. Johnny was an avid softball player, in his younger days and after retirement he enjoyed woodworking and crafts.
Johnny was a kind, gentle, loving husband, daddy, and poppie. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Billie Ann; two daughters: Jill Colton and her husband Bob and Lori Hefner and her husband Bill; a granddaughter Andie; four grandsons: Robbie, Jason, Casey and Ben; twin great-grandsons: Sunjaya and Jae (dec); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Funeral services will be Friday, September 21, 2012 at 1:00 PM in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with burial to follow in White Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 5 to 7 PM in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Pathways United Methodist Church: Education Memorial.