Obituary of Jeffrey Keith Eaton

Jeffrey Keith Eaton, age 70, of Indianapolis, passed away in the comfort of his long-time home on September 5, 2023.

Jeff was born on July 23, 1953, to Don and Carolyn Eaton, in Kokomo, Indiana.  During high school, he enjoyed lots of success as a runner for cross country and track.  After graduating from Western High School in 1971, he went on to study Elementary Education at Indiana University.  After graduation, he started his teaching career at North Salem, and then a year later at Wanamaker Elementary School in Franklin Township.  He married Deb Ehlers, and had his only son, Derek Keith Eaton in 1978.  Years later, he married Jane (Long) Nitz, and he fondly cared for her two sons as his own.  After receiving his Masters Degree in Education at Indiana University, he started as an Assistant Principal at Franklin Township Middle School.  He later served as Principal at Acton Elementary, opened Kitley Intermediate School, and retired as Principal from Franklin Township East Middle School in 2013.

Jeff was an avid golfer in retirement, and he could often be found playing rounds of golf with his fellow retirees and close friends that he considered family.  When he wasn’t playing golf, he was a servant leader and volunteer in many capacities for the Indianapolis community.  The last fifteen years were spent thoroughly enjoying spending time with his family, specifically his grandchildren.  He was a very proud grandfather and loved nothing more than attending his grandkids’ sporting events, school presentations, or just hanging out and fun together. 

Anyone who knew Jeff knew that he was a loving father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.  He is survived by his son, Derek Eaton (wife Amy), step-son Josh Nitz (wife Sarah), step-son Jacob Nitz (wife Cinthya), granddaughter, Rhylee Eaton, grandson, Brody Eaton.  Preceding him in death is his mother, Carolyn (Eaton) Lindauer, and his father Donald Eaton.

The viewing will be at Stevens Mortuary (5520 W. 10^th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46224) on Monday, September 11^th, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  The service will follow immediately after at 12:00pm.  A brief cemetery devotion will start at 2:00pm in Frankfort, IN at Greenlawn Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to his memorial scholarship fund supporting student athletes and his love for running and cross country.  Online donations can be made here:  https://tinyurl.com/JeffEatonFund