Frank Eakins

Celebrating the life of Frank Eakins, 88, of Oshtemo. Frank was born July 17, 1931, to John J. and Ethel Jane (Leffew) Eakins in Battle Creek MI. One of eleven children, he told many stories of growing up in Battle Creek, and he boxed in the Golden Gloves during his teen years. Of his seven sisters and three brothers, he is survived by Ken Eakins, Betty Miller, and Delbert Eakins. Frank married Janet Casler in 1951 while serving in the United States Air Force. They had 3 children: Sandy (Mike) Swanson, Stan Eakins, and Larry (Bonnie) Eakins. Frank and Jan moved to Grand Rapids in 1960 and built their dream home at Campau Lake, Alto MI, in the early 1970s. They retired to Huntington Run Community in Oshtemo MI in 2005. Frank and Jan were married 68 years; she passed on in June 2019. Frank preferred outdoor work and held several asphalt paving jobs over the years, including supervisory positions at Reith-Riley Construction and Grand Rapids Asphalt. He and Jan also owned several businesses, including a landscaping firm, a septic tank service, and asphalt paving companies Wolverine Paving and F&S. In retirement, Frank enjoyed his collection of diecast model cars and days out with his friend Boyd. Frank passed away at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence on November 29, 2019. He will be sorely missed by his siblings, children, grandchildren Eric Swanson, Ariel (Eric) Hulett, Jason (Misty) Eakins, Nikki (Cody) Harvey, Kelly Verburg, Thomas (Cheryl) Laws, and Richard (Heather) Laws; and dozens of great- and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Please visit Frank's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com.