×

John I. Eakin

SOUTHFIELD — Mr. John Eakin wanted to make it to 100, but was called home by his heavenly Father on January 24, 2021, at the age of 96. He died peacefully of natural causes.

John was born November 16, 1924, to the late Frederick Samuel Eakin and Mary (Bryson) Eakin in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. At the time his parents were migrating from Ireland to the United States; they stopped to give birth to John and then continued their journey to Houghton, where they put down roots. The Eakins were your typical big Irish family! John was the second oldest of twelve children.

He married Vivian (Linna) Eakin on July 5, 1945, in Houghton. A few years after getting married, they moved to Southfield.

John is survived by his wife Vivian, with whom he celebrated 75 years of marriage on July 5, 2020.

He was preceded in death by brothers William and David; sisters Dorothy Ylitalo and Elsie Luoma; brothers-in-law Laurie Wiitala, Jack Wakeham, Wilho Ylitalo, Earl Smith, Jim Laplander, and Pete Luoma; and sisters-in-law Catherine Eakin and Josephine Eakin.

John Eakin’s surviving sons are Dennis (Kandace) and Keith (Karen), daughters Sheral Stedman (Ralph) and Wendy Romund (Karl); brothers Harold (Fran), Fred, George (June); sisters Vera Smith, Mable Wakeham, Lilly Wiitala, and Loretta Laplander along with seven grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He was a devoted husband and loving father. He didn’t smoke, drink, or swear, but he did have one vice, the Detroit Tigers, especially the team that won the 1968 World Series.

He worked as a mason where he later became a subcontractor for local builders doing their mason and concrete work. During nights and weekends John worked hard building the homes in which he and Vivian raised their four children. When his children were grown he helped out by building some of their homes.

John had a strong desire to help his family members and his children giving his knowledge, time, and funds when necessary. He taught his brother Harold the construction business; and his son Keith who helped run John’s construction business in later years.

John was respected by all of the builders for whom he worked, and especially by the men who worked for him. John was generally outgoing and would talk to anybody and everybody – he enjoyed being with other people. It was not uncommon for him to say “Be kind to each other” as you were going out the door.

John had a soft streak for animals. On a number of occasions he rescued animals that were in need of food and shelter. One of the animals he rescued was a cat from a condemned building, Buffy, that remained with John and Vivian for 19 years. He also helped maintain a flock of mallard ducks while in Farmington, numbering close to 100, that he fed on a daily basis.

The family of John would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the many doctors, nurses, and health care workers whom took care of their father.

The Eakin children would also like to especially thank their sister, Wendy, for taking care of their parents in the assisted living facility where they resided not far from her south Florida home.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for any donations to be made to alzheimersassociation.com.