Well known, respected and modest are just a few words to describe Lonnie Eagle. Lonnie helped the children and the whole community by donating his time and talents. Lonnie R. Eagle passed away Wednesday evening, July 5, 2017 in his Galion home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born August 13, 1937 in Ashland and was the son of Ray R. and Florence B. (Marsh) Eagle.
Lonnie married Ann (Lindower) Eagle in the Ashland College Memorial Chapel on June 25, 1961.
He was a 1955 graduate of Ashland High School and went on to graduate from Ashland College with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Lonnie went on to graduate school at The Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University. He attended Banking Schools at Kent State, Ohio University and the University of Oklahoma. Lonnie was a veteran of the United States Naval Reserve serving from 1955 to 1964, spending five years in the Navy Reserves and three and half years in active duty with the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. As a LTJG he was an Intelligence Research Analyst and received the Joint Service Commendation Medal from the Department of Defense. Lonnie taught Business Education at Mansfield Senior High School, Vandalia High School, Galion High School, Norwalk High School and Ehove High School. He worked in banking for 41 years as a loan officer and bank manager starting at Huron County Bank, ten years at Galion Buckeye State Bank, Willard United Bank, Trust Corp, Society Bank, 19 years at Key Bank and 12 years at First Federal Bank of Ohio retiring May 25, 2012. Lonnie worked in sales for Craig Smith Auto Group in Galion for two and a half years.
Lonnie was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Galion since 1978, a trustee of Ralph Boyd Foundation, a trustee of Arthur Freese Foundation, on the Board of Directors at Galion Community Hospital for 13 years, a volunteer and past chairman of school levy campaigns in Norwalk and Galion, taught Junior Achievement to third and fourth graders in Galion City Schools for 12 years and participated in Ohio Reads Program with third and fourth graders for 12 years. He donated 18 gallons of blood for American Red Cross. Lonnie was a past chairman, member and ambassador of Galion Chamber of Commerce since 1985, past board member of Galion United Way and Galion Chapter of the American Red Cross. He truly loved and enjoyed his grandchildren and considered them his great accomplishment.
He was a member of United Methodist Church in Norwalk and Galion since 1966 and an active member of Christ United Methodist in Galion since 1978.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter Trina (Brian) Martin of Hilliard; sons Timothy (Jan) Eagle and Todd (Shannon) Eagle of Galion; grandchildren Miranda and Taylor Eagle, Luke and Alec Martin; brothers Duane (Judy) Eagle of Ashland, David (Linda) Eagle of Columbia, Missouri and Douglas (Katie) Eagle of Perrysville and a sister Beverly Toberen of Ashland.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister Sharon Ann Eagle.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833. Additional calling hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 28 followed by a memorial service starting at 11:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 130 East Walnut St. Galion, Ohio with Rev. Matthew Weaver officiating.
Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, HomeCare Matters Hospice or the Pelotonia (for Cancer Research) in care of the funeral home.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Lonnie Eagle, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
