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Fonda LaVon <I>O'Brien</I> Eastman

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Fonda LaVon O'Brien Eastman

Birth
Layton, Davis County, Utah, USA
Death
7 Oct 2012 (aged 90)
Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, Idaho, USA
Burial
Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, Idaho, USA GPS-Latitude: 42.5519774, Longitude: -114.4371995
Plot
Block 19NA; Lot 4; Grave 5
Memorial ID
View Source
Fonda was the youngest child born to Mary Hannah Adams and Jonathan Silas O'Brien of Layton, Davis Utah.

The family consisted of 6 boys and two girls; the first son died at almost four years old, the others living into their 70's, 80's and several past 90.

Obituary of Fonda LaVon O'Brien Eastman by her son, Larry George Eastman:

Fonda was born on December 11, 1921 in Layton Utah to Jonathan Silas O'Brien and Mary Hannah Adams the youngest of 8 children; six boys and two girls. Fonda's father, Jonathan, passed away when mother was in her fifth year and so her memory of him was brought about by her Mother's stories of him. She was told of her Father's love of music and him providing music lessons for all the other children. Those were hard times with Fonda's mother left to raise and support the family. Her mother sang at her work, saying that she had developed the habit of singing, all day, to keep her sanity after Dad died. She decided that singing all day would fortify her against her fears.

Fonda picked up her love of music from her mother and siblings. She told us of the times she would go to the well, lean over the side and sing down into the well to hear the echo of her songs come back to her. I also picked up a similar habit of softly whistling a tune while I work. To this day my wife will come over to me and see what tune I am whistling. Fonda had fond memories with her mother. Every Saturday evening her and her mother would walk down town (rain, snow or mixed) to see the weekly show, buy a Sunday Paper and a package of peppermints with green gum-drop centers and then walk home.

Music was Fonda's love-let me quote from her history: "I usually walked to church by myself, since mother chose to stay at home. I remember watching the music director intently, and making mental notes of what I would do if I were up in front leading the music. I also remember the intense emotions I experienced when I realized the message of the words in the hymns. I think, perhaps this was when I gained my testimony of the Gospel. I must have been about twelve years old at the time. The first time I sang a solo in church was for Primary. I sang "Trees". In mutual my friend, Athlene Smith and I sang a medley of songs, while I accompanied on the Ukulele. I think we did more giggling than singing. In grade school the band leader asked for volunteers to lead the band through one number at a town program. I was the only volunteer, and was pleased (and petrified) when the time arrived and I actually did lead them."

Fonda took every opportunity she could to sing and arrange music in high school and it was there that she met Vaughn. Fonda met Vaughn in High School- "Before the musical started, I helped into the make-up room, and Vaughn had me help him with his make-up. It was then that I decided he was the fellow I would like to date. We walked around the school grounds between scenes, and he finally got the courage to ask me to a dance. Each week-end we went to Hooper, Utah to the dance, which featured a live band, composed of piano, saxophone, violin, and drums. Occasionally we would go to Ogden to a show. One dollar would buy gas, show tickets, bar-b-que hamburgers and orange drinks for the two of us!"

On September 23rd, 1938 Fonda being 16 years 9 months old married Vaughn Gene Eastman at the County Seat, Farmington, Utah. In the ensuing five years three children were born, John, Donna and David. Fonda and Vaughn moved between cities in Utah and then moved to the state of Washington where Vaughn worked on the Grand Cooley Dam and the ship yards in Tacoma. It was there that Vaughn received his draft notice to serve in the latter part of WWII.

Here are the thoughts mother had when she bade Vaughn farewell as he went off to war. "It was a beautiful day! Snow sparkled on the sidewalk ahead of us, that led downward to a railroad station platform, crowded with Army uniformed troops. After a few steps my husband stopped, set his duffle bag down and handed our littlest one to me. 'Let me say goodbye here, it will be easier for you'. I felt weakness in my knees-the time we had dreaded for the past six months had arrived-the time to say goodbye. After kissing the children and telling them to 'be good to mamma', he took me in his arms and said, 'I love you. And I will be back!'.

As we watched him walk away from us, his duffle bag slung over his shoulders, I said a prayer for his safety and protection. He disappeared in the sea of soldiers, leaving all those he loved behind. Just as I and my little family turned towards the car, the new, little life within me stretched and turned. In just three months this, our precious fourth child would enter this War Torn world.

A feeling of desperation flooded over me, my mind was filled with confusing thoughts: 'How can I carry on alone?'-'Will he truly come back?'-'Where is the faith I need?'. Immediately a warm feeling of comfort and consolation came over me, and a gentle, yet penetrating voice engraved these faith-promoting words on my heart. 'He will come back!' The events of that beautiful winter day, January 3, 1945, brought to a close one chapter in our book of life, and also began a new chapter, which I would entitle: 'They also fight, who walk in faith and wait'." Three months later to the day Larry was born, the same day Vaughn was engaged in front line enemy fire in the Philippines.

During the Summer of 1945 Vaughn survived the war and retuned home. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington and eventually to Auburn, Washington. It is here where Fonda and Vaughn became active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dad being active in leadership positions and Fonda in charge of the music. Vaughn being called to be the Bishop of Tacoma 2nd ward and Fonda being in charge of the ward and stake choirs and singing mothers.

In July of 1955 the family moved to Pullman, Washington and spent the next eight years there. It was a great little town for raising the family and Fonda got right into the music program of the church. It was a great eight years for Fonda, seeing her four children happy in church and school.

In the spring of 1963 Vaughn was asked build the LDS chapel in Juneau, Alaska. Vaughn and Fonda moved to Juneau and spent the next 13 years where Vaughn was again in leadership positions and Fonda directing the music program of the church.

In 1976-1977 Vaughn and Fonda served a successful mission in the South Dakota/Rapid City area among the Lamanites. After their mission they returned to Juneau where they sold their property and then moved around the country helping their children build homes. In 1982 they moved to Arizona and spent the next three years building restaurants in Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma.

In 1984 Vaughn and Fonda retired and moved to Bayfield, Colorado where they built their retirement log cabin. Fonda served another time as relief society president and was involved in the music. They were also called to serve in the Manti Temple between the years of 1991 and 1992 while living in Bayfield. They would serve for one week each month in the temple there as temple ordinance workers.

Fonda and Vaughn sold their cabin in Bayfield and moved to St. George, Utah due to heart issues which Vaughn encountered with a need to get to lower elevations. They spent the next four years there and then settled in Twin Falls, Idaho in 2005. On September 23, 2012 Vaughn and Fonda celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary. Fonda is survived by her husband Vaughn, her sons, John, David and Larry Eastman and a daughter Donna Swallow. She is also survived by 24 Grand Children, 50 Great Grand Children and 11 Great-Great Grand Children.
Fonda was the youngest child born to Mary Hannah Adams and Jonathan Silas O'Brien of Layton, Davis Utah.

The family consisted of 6 boys and two girls; the first son died at almost four years old, the others living into their 70's, 80's and several past 90.

Obituary of Fonda LaVon O'Brien Eastman by her son, Larry George Eastman:

Fonda was born on December 11, 1921 in Layton Utah to Jonathan Silas O'Brien and Mary Hannah Adams the youngest of 8 children; six boys and two girls. Fonda's father, Jonathan, passed away when mother was in her fifth year and so her memory of him was brought about by her Mother's stories of him. She was told of her Father's love of music and him providing music lessons for all the other children. Those were hard times with Fonda's mother left to raise and support the family. Her mother sang at her work, saying that she had developed the habit of singing, all day, to keep her sanity after Dad died. She decided that singing all day would fortify her against her fears.

Fonda picked up her love of music from her mother and siblings. She told us of the times she would go to the well, lean over the side and sing down into the well to hear the echo of her songs come back to her. I also picked up a similar habit of softly whistling a tune while I work. To this day my wife will come over to me and see what tune I am whistling. Fonda had fond memories with her mother. Every Saturday evening her and her mother would walk down town (rain, snow or mixed) to see the weekly show, buy a Sunday Paper and a package of peppermints with green gum-drop centers and then walk home.

Music was Fonda's love-let me quote from her history: "I usually walked to church by myself, since mother chose to stay at home. I remember watching the music director intently, and making mental notes of what I would do if I were up in front leading the music. I also remember the intense emotions I experienced when I realized the message of the words in the hymns. I think, perhaps this was when I gained my testimony of the Gospel. I must have been about twelve years old at the time. The first time I sang a solo in church was for Primary. I sang "Trees". In mutual my friend, Athlene Smith and I sang a medley of songs, while I accompanied on the Ukulele. I think we did more giggling than singing. In grade school the band leader asked for volunteers to lead the band through one number at a town program. I was the only volunteer, and was pleased (and petrified) when the time arrived and I actually did lead them."

Fonda took every opportunity she could to sing and arrange music in high school and it was there that she met Vaughn. Fonda met Vaughn in High School- "Before the musical started, I helped into the make-up room, and Vaughn had me help him with his make-up. It was then that I decided he was the fellow I would like to date. We walked around the school grounds between scenes, and he finally got the courage to ask me to a dance. Each week-end we went to Hooper, Utah to the dance, which featured a live band, composed of piano, saxophone, violin, and drums. Occasionally we would go to Ogden to a show. One dollar would buy gas, show tickets, bar-b-que hamburgers and orange drinks for the two of us!"

On September 23rd, 1938 Fonda being 16 years 9 months old married Vaughn Gene Eastman at the County Seat, Farmington, Utah. In the ensuing five years three children were born, John, Donna and David. Fonda and Vaughn moved between cities in Utah and then moved to the state of Washington where Vaughn worked on the Grand Cooley Dam and the ship yards in Tacoma. It was there that Vaughn received his draft notice to serve in the latter part of WWII.

Here are the thoughts mother had when she bade Vaughn farewell as he went off to war. "It was a beautiful day! Snow sparkled on the sidewalk ahead of us, that led downward to a railroad station platform, crowded with Army uniformed troops. After a few steps my husband stopped, set his duffle bag down and handed our littlest one to me. 'Let me say goodbye here, it will be easier for you'. I felt weakness in my knees-the time we had dreaded for the past six months had arrived-the time to say goodbye. After kissing the children and telling them to 'be good to mamma', he took me in his arms and said, 'I love you. And I will be back!'.

As we watched him walk away from us, his duffle bag slung over his shoulders, I said a prayer for his safety and protection. He disappeared in the sea of soldiers, leaving all those he loved behind. Just as I and my little family turned towards the car, the new, little life within me stretched and turned. In just three months this, our precious fourth child would enter this War Torn world.

A feeling of desperation flooded over me, my mind was filled with confusing thoughts: 'How can I carry on alone?'-'Will he truly come back?'-'Where is the faith I need?'. Immediately a warm feeling of comfort and consolation came over me, and a gentle, yet penetrating voice engraved these faith-promoting words on my heart. 'He will come back!' The events of that beautiful winter day, January 3, 1945, brought to a close one chapter in our book of life, and also began a new chapter, which I would entitle: 'They also fight, who walk in faith and wait'." Three months later to the day Larry was born, the same day Vaughn was engaged in front line enemy fire in the Philippines.

During the Summer of 1945 Vaughn survived the war and retuned home. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington and eventually to Auburn, Washington. It is here where Fonda and Vaughn became active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dad being active in leadership positions and Fonda in charge of the music. Vaughn being called to be the Bishop of Tacoma 2nd ward and Fonda being in charge of the ward and stake choirs and singing mothers.

In July of 1955 the family moved to Pullman, Washington and spent the next eight years there. It was a great little town for raising the family and Fonda got right into the music program of the church. It was a great eight years for Fonda, seeing her four children happy in church and school.

In the spring of 1963 Vaughn was asked build the LDS chapel in Juneau, Alaska. Vaughn and Fonda moved to Juneau and spent the next 13 years where Vaughn was again in leadership positions and Fonda directing the music program of the church.

In 1976-1977 Vaughn and Fonda served a successful mission in the South Dakota/Rapid City area among the Lamanites. After their mission they returned to Juneau where they sold their property and then moved around the country helping their children build homes. In 1982 they moved to Arizona and spent the next three years building restaurants in Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma.

In 1984 Vaughn and Fonda retired and moved to Bayfield, Colorado where they built their retirement log cabin. Fonda served another time as relief society president and was involved in the music. They were also called to serve in the Manti Temple between the years of 1991 and 1992 while living in Bayfield. They would serve for one week each month in the temple there as temple ordinance workers.

Fonda and Vaughn sold their cabin in Bayfield and moved to St. George, Utah due to heart issues which Vaughn encountered with a need to get to lower elevations. They spent the next four years there and then settled in Twin Falls, Idaho in 2005. On September 23, 2012 Vaughn and Fonda celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary. Fonda is survived by her husband Vaughn, her sons, John, David and Larry Eastman and a daughter Donna Swallow. She is also survived by 24 Grand Children, 50 Great Grand Children and 11 Great-Great Grand Children.


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  • Maintained by: history4sure Relative Aunt/Uncle
  • Originally Created by: Barb
  • Added: Oct 8, 2012
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98487237/fonda_lavon-eastman: accessed ), memorial page for Fonda LaVon O'Brien Eastman (11 Dec 1921–7 Oct 2012), Find a Grave Memorial ID 98487237, citing Twin Falls Cemetery, Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, Idaho, USA; Maintained by history4sure (contributor 46997739).