Connie F. Eakin, 87, Vandalia,

Connie F. Eakin, 87, of Vandalia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, at SBL Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care.

A Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. , Thursday, May 7, at St. James Lutheran Church, Vandalia with Pastor Brad Frye officiating. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9-11 a.m., Thursday, at the church.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church or to SBL FCH Long Term Care. Online condolences can be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com.

Connie Francis Gray was born on June 7, 1938, in Morris, Oklahoma, as one of three children of Chesley N. “Chet” Gray and Joy A. (Kuhn) Gray. Her family relocated to the Brownstown area in 1941, where she completed her education at Brownstown High School. On Nov. 28, 1958, she married Ronald K. Eakin, her lifelong partner, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage.

Connie’s career included a 30-year tenure at Illinois Bell Telephone Company, followed by positions at Farmers and Merchants Bank and Edward Jones. Known for her caring nature, she was actively involved in St. James Lutheran Church and was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her hobbies included golf and reading, and she was passionate about making numerous afghans and quilts for her nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

Mrs. Eakin is survived by her husband Ronnie Eakin of Vandalia; twin brother, Ronnie Gray and wife Helen of Decatur; sisters-in-law, Joyce Harris of Dexter, MO, Darlene Gray of Crockett, TX, Janice Hopwood of Terre Haute, IN, and Judith Baker of Mansfield; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents and older brother, Terry Gray.

Arrangements by Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia.