GERALD EATON

      Gerald Thomas Eaton, or Sarge, as he was referred to affectionately by his friends, passed away on March 21, 2020 at Golden Years in Lake Geneva. He was born Aug. 10, 1936 in Eau Claire, WI, to Albert and Elvera (Schafer) Eaton.

His family moved often finally settling in Delavan where Sarge graduated from Delavan High School. Following graduation, he joined the Marine Corps in 1954 and did two tours in Vietnam leaving the Corps after 17 years. Sarge reentered the military in the 1980s in the capacity of an IMA (Immediate Mobilization Augmentee) serving during Desert Storm and retiring after 31 years of service.

Adding to his many accolades, Sarge was an accomplished artist selling his paintings at the International Market Place and the Lou Kreitzman Waikiki Gallery in Oahu, Hawaii. He did covers and artwork for Dungeons and Dragons magazine, owned and operated a bar/restaurant in northern Wisconsin, built and installed cabinets at Peterson Cabinet Shop in Williams Bay, and worked as a prototype for Bergamot Brass Works in Delavan.

In 1981, Sarge graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. It was at Whitewater where he met his second wife, Janet. They were married on July 29, 1986 in McHenry, Ill. They eventually settled in Williams Bay where Sarge, with lots of family expertise and assistance, built the home he and Janet have resided in for 33 years.

Sarge is survived by his loving wife, Janet; daughters, Joan of Colorado Springs, CO, Sherry (Jim) Beck of Genoa City, and Bonnie of Budd Lake, NJ; granddaughters, Stephanie and Amanda Ujvari and Leah Beck; grandson, Sam (Shumila Anderson-Hodge) Collins; great-grandchildren, Chase, Samina and Nyssa Collins. He is also survived by his brothers, David (Dot) Eaton of Queen City, TX and Michael (Dottie) Eaton of Wesley Chapel, FL, brothers-in-law, Ralph Peterson and Roger (Marilyn) Peterson, sister-in-law, Jan (Bob) Hanson, along with numerous caring nieces and nephews; and close friends, Mary and Jim Brissette and Becky Pete Oehmen.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Diana (Jim) Taylor and his parents.

Sarge was a member of VFW Post 2373, American Legion Post 102, American Military Retirees Association, and Red Arrow Club of Southern Wisconsin. Memorial may be sent to VFW Post 2373 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 964 Williams Bay, WI 53191.

Due to present circumstances, services will be private at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes in Elkhorn. The family is planning a vehicle tribute at Roselawn Memory Gardens (intersection of highways 50 and 67) at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Those who would like to pay a final tribute will be directed to park along the driveway and remain in their vehicle at the cemetery where they can observe the passing of the hearse as Sarge is laid to his final resting place.

The online guest book at haaselockwoodfhs.com.