David Vaneaton

Vincennes philanthropist and businessman, R. David Van Eaton, died on December 31, 2011. His wife, Gloria J. Van Eaton, preceded him in death. He is survived by his four children, Cynthia A. Vallimont, Vincennes,IN, Rebecca J. Van Eaton, Indianapolis,IN, Mark D. Van Eaton (Lisa), Indianapolis,IN, Deborah S. Ward (Paul), Carmel,IN, and four grandchildren, Caitlin Ward, Caroline Ward, Morgan Ward and Bailey Ward, Carmel,IN and a sister, M. Janet Craton (Robert E. Craton), Austin,TX.A Vincennes native, Mr. Van Eaton, was born on February 2, 1929, to the late Ralph N. and Luella M. Van Eaton. After graduating from Lincoln High School, he attended Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, on a wrestling scholarship, where he lettered in Wrestling and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force, and married Gloria J. Van Eaton on June 1, 1952. After completion of his Air Force service abroad, David graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business from Indiana University, Bloomington,IN, and then upon returning to Vincennes, he started a John Deere Farm Equipment Dealership, R.D. Van Eaton, Inc. at 15th and Hart in Vincennes, which he successfully operated for many years. He later founded and served as Chairman of Wabash Valley Bank in Vincennes, along with many other entrepreneurial business endeavors.Mr. Van Eaton was a member and Elder of Bethany Presbyterian Church, and member of the Vincennes Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.In 2007, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels recognized Mr. Van Eaton with a Distinguished Hoosier Award.Mr. Van Eaton generously supported many Vincennes and Knox County charities, and civic and community organizations from education to the arts, including the Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes University, Grouseland and the Knox County Library. Mr. Van Eaton established scholarships at Vincennes University for students in its Nursing, Agribusiness and John Deere Technology programs. He also established a Nursing scholarship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes.Goodwin Funeral Home, Vincennes,IN, is in charge of arrangements. The visitation at Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway, Vincennes, will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, and the funeral service, with Rev. John DeSanto officiating, is to begin at 2:30 p.m., and burial to follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Vincennes.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Van Eaton's name may be made to the R. David Van Eaton John Deere and Agribusiness Scholarship, which is administered by the Vincennes University Foundation, 1002 North First Street DC-38, Vincennes, IN 47591, or the R. David and Gloria J. Van Eaton Nursing Scholarship, which is also administered by the Vincennes University Foundation, 1002 North First Stret DC-38, Vincennes, IN 47591.