Virginia May Eakin

Virginia May Eakin, 79, of 10579 Liberty St. Ext., Meadville and formerly of East Springfield, PA died at home Thursday, February 27, 2003.

She was born in Youngstown, OH, December 21, 1923 a daughter of the late Fredrick R. Collingwood and Hettie Mae Collingwood Wagner.  She married Floyd Basil Eakin August 6, 1948 and he preceded her in death in 1979.

She worked at the Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs prior to World War II and during the war she worked at Chicago Pneumatic in Cleveland assembling airplanes.  She and her husband raised 15 children, 10 of whom were their own.

She was strong in her faith, and she loved music, playing the accordion, gardening and bird watching.

Survivors, include: 10 children, Steve Eakin and his wife Cyndi of Union City, Betty Burrows and her husband Rich of Meadville, Don Eakin and his wife Tina of Jefferson, OH, Jerry Eakin and his wife Sandy of Erie, Rick Eakin and his wife Doris of East Springfield, Shirley Eakin of Conneaut, OH, Sally Eakin of Girard, Beverly Eakin of Conneaut, OH, Charlie Eakin of Jefferson, OH and a foster son, Terry Amacher; two sisters, Gerry Conway and her husband Bill of Greenville and Dora Wagner and her husband Lawrence of Tampa, FL; 21 grandchildren including Don Eakin Jr. and Clair Eakin, Jr. whom she helped raise, 5 step grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by a son, Curtis Eakin; a stepson, Clair Eakin; three sisters, Verg Marzska, Blanche Bennett and Bessie Serenna and three brothers, Paul, James and Fred Collingwood.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Tim DeTal of the Victory Family Worship Center, officiating.

Burial will be in Springfield Cemetery, East Springfield, PA.

The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335.