Richard F. Eastman, 86, of New London, died Sunday, February 7, 2010 at his home. Born June 14, 1923 in Elyria, Dick was the youngest son of the late Finley E. and Blanche (Cutler) Eastman. Dick was a 1941 graduate of Wakeman High School and a 1948 graduate of Cleveland College of Mortuary Science. During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marines. He worked at Stein Funeral Home in Huron, Ohio until moving to New London in 1949 to became a partner in the Sackett-Eastman Funeral Home. In April of 1950, Dick married his wife, Ruth, and in 1954 they started Eastman Funeral Home in New London. Dick was characterized by his compassion, his service to his community and his love for his family. He was a member of the New London United Methodist Church. He recently celebrated his 60th anniversary as a member of the New London Rotary Club, in which he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, 1990s Rotarian of the Year and 1980s Citizen of the Year. He had served on the Grove Street Cemetery Board and the Firelands Ambulance Board. He was a long time member of the New London CIC, a lifetime member of the American Legion 292, and had been active with the Boy Scouts, Little League and Meals on Wheels. Dick and his wife worked as the New London Dispatchers from 1956 until 1978 for the police and fire departments and Firelands Electric. They also ran the ambulance service and were instrumental in the creation of the Firelands Ambulance. He was a former member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, and both the Firelands and Lorain County Funeral Directors Associations. Later in life, Dick began running and participated in many 10K races. He enjoyed woodworking, building black powder rifles and several clocks, and more recently recaning old chairs. Dick and Ruth traveled all over the country in their camper and were active volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. He is survived by his children, Janet (William) VonKamp of Huron, George (Denise) Eastman of New London, Donald (Celeste) Eastman of Greenwich; 7 grandchildren, Meg (Tim) Smelcer, Keri (Ken) DeChant, Jay (Sara) Eastman, Jordan Eastman, Hannah (Cody) Granneman, Rachel (Sam) Heydinger, Robin Eastman; 6 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (Wonnell) Eastman in 2004; sisters, Helen Rice and Betty Christiansen; brother, Eugene Eastman and an infant sister. Friends may call from 2'4 and 6'8 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 West Main St., New London where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday with Pastor Cathy Ake officiating. Burial will follow at Grove Street Cemetery, New London. Memorials, if desired, may be given to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 308, Huron, Ohio 44839-0308 or to the New London United Methodist Church, 58 E. Main St., New London, Ohio 44851.