Hershal Easthom

Hershal “Joe” Easthom, 79, of Fairborn died Friday, May 16, 2008 following a lengthy illness.

He was born January 1, 1929 in Huntington, West Virginia the son of Lawrence E. and Martha (Dick) Easthom.

Joe served in the United States Air Force for 26½ years, with tours of duty in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, retiring from Wright-Patterson Air Force base as a Chief Master Sergeant in the 4950th Test Wing. He continued to work his same job at Wright-Patt for fifteen years as a Civil Servant.

Joe was a member of the Fairborn Post of the American Legion, AmVets and the Officers Club at Wright-Patt. Joe was highly skilled with his hands and built an airplane from scratch and liked to repair clocks. He enjoyed antique shows, flea markets, fishing, playing cards and chess, reading and traveling and was a 47 year member of the Gen. Henry H. Arnold Masonic Lodge in Rosamond, California. He had been a resident of the Masonic Retirement Community, Springfield, where he attended church services and sang in the choir for the past three years. Joe was quiet and unassuming, slow to anger and always looked for the good in people.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Sheila (Hill) Easthom of Fairborn; five brothers Kenneth, James, Clifford, Russell and Rodney Easthom, all of West Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters Ruby Louise and Ella Fay and a brother Lawrence Easthom, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 PM. in the Chapel of the Ohio Masonic Home, Springfield, with Chaplain Bruce Vincent officiating. The family will receive visitors in the Chapel from 12:30-1:30 PM. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in the Masonic Home Cemetery.

The family is being served by the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME, Springfield.