Joseph “George” Easton, 81, of Helena, MT passed away at home with his family by his side July 26, 2011 of natural causes. He was born to George and Josephine Easton on February 6, 1930 in Beulah, ND.
George attended St. Mary’s High School in Bismarck, ND. He married June Maassen on August 7, 1948 in Bismarck. She preceded him in death on June 9, 1999.
He primarily worked in sales for brick and tile companies. He retired from IXL Industries in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Golfing, playing cribbage, and spending time with friends and family were among his favorite activities.
George is survived by his children, Tim (Bev) Easton, Cindy (Dick) Erickson, Lori (John) Laughlin, and Jack Easton; as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother, Alex Easton of Clearwater, FL and sister, Mary Lauder of Coeur d’Alene, ID.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June (Maassen) Easton, parents, and brother, Gil Gilchrist of Bismarck, ND.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 31st at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be 1:00 p.m. Monday August 1st at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena. A reception will be held in the church immediately following the Mass. Placement of his cremated remains will be in the Columbarium Niche at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in George’s name are suggested to any hospice organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Al & Chris Kulesa says
To Jack and his family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Always remember the good times and he will live with you forever. Our prayers are with you.
Bobbie McConnell says
Easton Family,
So sorry to hear about the loss of George. He is going to be missed by all. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Brian & Jean Peacock says
Dear Easton family,
We are sorry to learn of George’s passing. We hope that it is of solace however, knowing that he and June are together again. We hold so many fond memories of our long friendship and many golf games and “Friday evenings” at GMCC.
Very best,
Brian & Jean Peacock
Brian Cote says
Tim, Jack and family, Thank you for keeping in touch, I tried to do that with your Dad who I had a great relationship with. I contacted his many Canadian friends who all asked me to pass on their condolences and best wishes – Kindest regards,, Brian, Carol and Jen
David and Carol Montgomery says
Jack and Family,
Carol and I send you are deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. You are in our thoughts and prayers and cheerish the memories.
Gina Becherl says
Jack and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are going out to you. God Bless
Glenna Kendall says
Jack, Tim and family, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. My Heartfelt condolences to all of you. Cherish the memories and they will last forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Glenna Kendall
Janet Herold says
Dear Tim & Bev,
My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is a natural event, but not one that is easy to contend with. Wonderful memories of a loved one will supercede the sorrow now felt. The love and support of family and friends will help during this time and always. Take care.
Janet Herold
Kirk Stetson says
Domenic and Easton family, our prayers and thoughts are with you. I know you have fond memories of your Grandpa George that will live forever and bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. Kirk & Lori
Matt Diette says
Cindy, Tim, Lori, and Jack: I was very sorry to hear of your loss – many memories of the times the Diette and Easton families spent together in years gone by. My thoughts are with you.
Russ & Thana Prochko says
Jack,
Thana and I are truly sorry for the loss of your dad. I pray that you and your family find peace during this difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your entire family.
Steve Easton says
My Beloved Easton Cousins:
Marivern and I share our deep sympathy at the loss of your dad. I regret that my rather ridiculous schedule prevents me from making a trip to Helena to be with you tomorrow. (Indeed, I have been on the road in Ohio and did not get back to Laramie until late last night.)
Uncle George was a larger than life figure for me. He and June were always such wonderful hosts for our family, way back to your days in Hazen, then in Dickinson and finally in Helena. As a kid, I always looked up to him as one of those larger than life, Paul Bunyan type figures, as much legend to me as reality. He always seemed to be a bit bigger than other folks, whether rescuing people from drowning while building the bridge for the golf course in Hazen or simply walking down the driveway to greet us.
That welcoming spirit defined him throughout his life. I showed up at his door fairly often, first as a member of my family and later on my own, and he always seemed happy to see me and whomever it was I was traveling with at the time. George welcomed a lot of folks in his life, without judgment of their circumstances.
It is true, of course, that one could run afoul of his sensibilities, but that mostly happened on the golf course when one committed one of the two almost unpardonable sins, i.e., either playing even a bit too slowly or, shudder the thought, forgetting to shout out one’s score immediately after the ball hit the bottom of the cup. I suppose he never considered the possiblity that some of us (especially yours truly, the one who, by a considerable margin, was the weakest golfer of any to carry the Easton name) might not be so proud of our score that we wanted to shout it for all to hear!
Your hearts ache, I am sure, to let the giant of a man go. Hard as it is for all of us, it is of course comforting to know that he is with his beloved Junie once again.
Your dad has always been part of a team, from my perspective. For my sisters and me, it was always “George and June.” It was the truest and solidest pairing I have run across in my half century (plus) roaming this planet. Sadly, some of the other pairings did not last. But “George and June” are an eternal team. Both of them were wonderful and memorable individuals, of course, and they were by no means two from the same mold. But they were, and are, a team for eternity. In this age, that is a hell of an accomplishment.
So is raising a bunch of great kids. Each of you is a tribute to your parents. It is an honor for me to share a last name with you.
Let’s figure out ways to run into each other in the coming years, okay? I treasure each of you and miss you. I have wandered a bit, so I don’t see you as often as I used to, and I very much miss that.
Love,
Steve (and Marivern)
Sue Hanes says
To Jack and all of the Easton family, you have my deepest sympathy. May all of your special memories of your father help you through this difficult time. I am keeping you in my prayers.
Susan Proul says
My heartfelt condolences to all the Easton family. George was such a great person and I am truly lucky to have been a part of his “harem”. May you find comfort in knowing that he is once again united with his most beloved June and they are now watching over all of us together from heaven. Rest in peace my friend….
Susan Salzsieder says
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. George was a gem, a good man who loved life. I, too, was a member of George’s “harem”. The four of us enjoyed getting together to celebrate birthdays. George talked often of his family.
My first thought when I heard of George’s passing was that he was now with his beloved June. May he walk hand in hand with June and keep an eye from above on all those he cared about. Rest in peace.
Terry Harris says
Tim, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a fun loving guy. We had a lot of laughs at the golf course over the years.
TErry, Judy and Family
Todd Harris says
I just wanted so say that the service was nice and we will miss George.