Dorthy Kathleen Easton

December 16, 1924 — February 29, 2024

Dorthy Kathleen "Grandma K" Easton, 99, of Decatur, IL, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2024.

Known to her family as Katie, she was born on December 16, 1924, in Greenup, IL to Walter and Iva Mitchell. At the age of 7, she tragically lost her mother to Tuberculosis. As a result, Katie (Kack) and brother Bud (Charles W. Mitchell) went to live with their Aunt Mabel Ward who loved and cared for them as her own. Their sister, Wilma, went to live with their mother’s family and despite being separated the siblings remained close throughout their life.

On June 15, 1946, Katie married Kermit Delno Easton in Toledo, Illinois. Prior to that she worked at the US Rubber Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. She gave birth to her first son, Douglas Neil, in 1950 and her second son, David in 1955. Katie was a devoted wife caring for her husband all the way up to his death in 2011. In her twilight years, she enjoyed life with her great grandchildren, often entertained with dance parties and stories in her room at Lincolnshire.

Katie obtained her higher education at the University of New Mexico and was a beloved teacher in the Decatur Public Schools, retiring in 1987. She touched the lives of many students throughout her career and as fate would have it, even taught the student her granddaughter would marry one day. It's very common to meet people and when they connect the last names they ask about a relation to their “favorite teacher Mrs. Easton."

Katie is survived by her daughters-in-law, Susan Easton (Douglas) and Sue Easton (David); grandchildren: Erika Goetter (Scott), Mitchell Easton (Ariane) and Lisa Easton; great-grandchildren: Anya Easton, Aubree Easton, Brock Easton, Nicholas Zarate, Alicia Zarate, and Alexis Zarate; and dear nephew, Charles Easton (Mike Sinclair). She was preceded in death by her siblings, Charles W. “Bud” Mitchell and Wilma Marie Mitchell Clark, husband, Kermit Easton, and sons, Douglas, and David Easton.

She was a dedicated member of Antioch Christian Church where she found solace and community. She was a regular member of the Tuesday morning card signing group, just one example of the love and kindness she always showed others.

A visitation will be held on March 16th, 2024, from 9-10 A.M. at Antioch Christian Church, followed by a service at 10 A.M. Burial will take place in Greenup, IL immediately following.

Throughout Katie's life she was the definition of kindness, always exhibiting a sweet soul. She was fond of angels and collected them over the years which made sense because she lived and walked as one on earth. She never had a bad word to say about anything or anyone and leaves an example of a heart and life filled with love can be long and lasting.

Dorthy Kathleen Easton will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.

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