LUNENBURG - Chester L. Eaton, 73, of Auburn Star Farm, died of sudden illness at his home Sunday morning November 1, 2009.
Mr. Eaton was born in Windsor, Vermont, on March 5, 1936, a 12th descendant of the Mayflower passenger Francis Eaton and son of Maurice Chester Eatonand Beatrice (Webster) Eaton Hull.
Chester was a raised in Hartland, VT, and attended Hartland grade schools. He was a 1954 graduate of Windsor High School. He has been a devoted farmer all his life and for 35 years he operated a dairy farm in Hartland. In 1978 the farm was incorporated to become Auburn Star Farm, Inc. While there he was actively involved in many civic duties serving as selectman, school director, and was on the Hartland Planning Commission for 20 years.
In 1986 he and his family moved to Lunenburg, VT, purchasing the old Weeks Farm. He never retired and continued his farm work there until the day of his death.
He was a founding member of the Vermont Land Trust serving 20 years in Hartland.
Hobbies included anything Chester could do outdoors like farming, gardening,mowing lawns and cutting wood. He enjoyed time with lifelong and new friends who have helped him and his family through many, many, good times.
Surviving family members include his wife of 52 years, Lorna I. (Maxfield) Eaton of Lunenburg; two sons Conan L. Eaton and his wife Maureen and Brad C. Eaton and his wife Sharon all of Lunenburg; six grandchildren, Cathy
Williams, Dan Eaton, Chad Eaton, Samantha Russo, Shane Eaton, Luke Eaton; four great-grandchildren; five siblings, Myrtle Johnson of Putney, VT, Jacki Foss and Jay Hull both of Morrisville, VT, Howard Hull of Lillian, Alabama, Carol Johnson of Fort Myers, Florida; two special cousins Andrea and numerous nieces and nephews. A son Thad L. Eaton predeceased him.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday afternoon and evening November 4, from 1:00 to 3:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. There is no memorial service. Interment will be in the family cemetery at Auburn Star Farm at the family's convenience.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Gilman-Lunenburg Rescue, % Donna Brown, PO Box 91, Gilman, VT 05904 or Lancaster Ambulance Association, %Ron Wert, 25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584