Loren Starke Eastman Jr.

He was born February 18, 1925 in Spokane, Washington to Loren and Gwendolyn (Sumerlin) Eastman. Loren graduated from high school in Wenatchee, WA 1942 and entered the local junior college where he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program. He was called to active duty on April 15, 1943 and was placed in preflight training for a pilot, then Primary flight school and advanced training at Douglas Army Air Corps Base in Arizona where he received his pilot wings on February 8, 1944 at the age of 18. Loren was soon transferred to Italy to fly the B-17 bomber with the 463rd Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force.

After the war ended Loren was placed in the Army reserves and was called back to active duty in 1948 to fly Air Evac flights during the Korean War flying 100 missions getting the wounded to hospitals. Following the Korean war Loren was promoted to Major and spent some time in Washington D.C. and England, then coming back to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1966 staying there until the start of the Vietnam War. He then was sent to Saigon, Vietnam to help with our efforts there.

Loren returned to the U.S. in 1970 reporting to 410 Bomb Wing at K.I. Sawyer, where he served as a Air Force Commander, Squadron Commander, and Deputy to the Commander for Resources. He retired in 1976 and then moved his family to Marquette where he has lived for the past 41 years. In all Loren served in WWII, Korean and Vietnam War and had over 33 years of service and 5,500 hours of flying. He received the following: European – African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Army Occupation Medal. He was a member of the Caterpillar Club, which was received for parachuting out of a failing aircraft.

He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and attending Northern Michigan University Hockey games. He and Marilyn enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and traveling together.

Loren was preceded in death by his first wife Jean in 1997 after 36 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn (Libby) Peterson Eastman, children; Lonnie (Peggy) Stephens of Lafayette, TN, Laurie Eastman of Marysville, WA, Jody Epperson of Carefree, AZ., Jennifer (Rich) Jeeves of Marquette, Gwen Eastman- Salmi of Hermansville, MI., Bonnie (Doug) McMahon of Skandia, James (Jennifer) Eastman of Appleton, WI., and Barbara Eastman of San Diego, CA. Grandchildren; Rick and Joe (Melissa) Jeeves, Amanda (Kyle) Zorza, Misty and Alexis Weeks, Kyle and Olivia McMahon, Jackson Eastman, DJ Karpinen, Alex, Michael and Brennen Swenor, and great granddaughter Nora Vincent.

The family would like to thank the staff at DJ Jacobetti Veterans home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the activity fund at DJ Jacobettis Activity Fund. 425 Fisher St, Marquette MI, 49855

A funeral service will be held on Saturday March 25, 2017 at the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home at 12 noon with visitation to start at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at the Park Cemetery with Military Honors.

Please visit www.swan sonlundquistfuneralhome.com to express your condolences online.