Parents Father: EATON, Walter Nelson Mother: GORDON, Inez Estella Birth Born on October 03, 1918 in Dexter, Penobscot Co., ME Death Died on March 03, 2005 in Portland, Cumberland Co., ME Buried in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Kennebec Co., ME Marriages FOWLER, Doris E. Married on August 14, 1941 in Fort Fairfield, Aroostook Co., ME Children EATON, Andrea L.: June 22, 1944 EATON, Martha: May 26, 1948 Notes Military Service: Captain US Army WW2 Occupation: Teacher/ Principal/ Superintendant Obituary: Sept. 25, 2008 YARMOUTH '96 Wendell Gordon Eaton, 86, a highly respected Maine educator, diedThursday, March 3, at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He was born Oct. 3, 1918, to the late Inez and Walter Eaton, where he spent an idyllic childhood on a farm on Wassookeag Lake in Dexter. He was a graduate of Dexter High School, Farmington Normal School, and the University of Maine at Orono, where he received his bachelor of science Degree. After serving in the Army Medical Corp. from 1942 -1945, he received a masters in education degree from Harvard University. In later years he continued his education at Columbia University and the University of Florida. In 1941, Wendell married Doris Fowler, of Fort Fairfield, with whom he shared his life for 63 years. Wendell was a teacher in Union, and a principal in both South Paris and Mars Hill. In 1948, he accepted a job as principal of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Bangor. In July, 1949, he was stricken with polio. After a year of intensive rehabilitation at Hyde Memorial Home in Bath, he was welcomed back as principal of Abraham Lincoln. He subsequently served the Bangor School System as Principal of Vine Street School, Curriculum Director and for 16 years, superintendent of schools. After his retirement in 1977, Wendell became director of the Penquis Inservice Project in the Department of Education at the University of Maine. He also taught Maine School Law at the Orono and Presque Isle campuses. Wendell was a co-founder of the Maine School Management Association, the president of both the Maine and New England Associations of School Superintendents, and a member of the State Board of Education for two years. He was a long time trustee of the Bangor Public Library, a corporator of Eastern Maine Medical Center, a member of the Bangor Rotary, and an active member of the First Methodist Church for more than 50 years. Wendell received many honors. Among these were Distinguished Service Awards from the Maine School Superintendents Association and the University of Maine at Farmington. He was also recognized by the New England Association of School Superintendents for providing outstanding educational leadership on behalf of the children in Maine and New England. Education, church, books, music, and most importantly, family were Wendell's focus during his lifetime. He was a committed, compassionate educator and friend, and a loving, patient husband, father, and Papa. Wendell was predeceased by his brothers, Maynard, Joseph, and J. Warren; and his closest friend and colleague, Lee Hallowell. He is survived by his beloved wife, Doris; daughter, Andrea and her husband, Ronald Winson and daughter, Martha and her husband, K. Alton Spencer; four grandchildren, Robert Winson and his wife, Heather, Matthew Winson, Kimberly Spencer, Alyson Spencer and her partner, Rachel Reed; three great-grandchildren, Maximilian, Wyatt, and Jillian Winson. He is also survived by a sister, Doris O'Reilly; a brother, Robert, a special cousin, Thomas Flanders, and many loving nieces and nephews. A celebration of Wendell's life will be held Saturday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex Street, Bangor with the Rev. Dr. Randall C. Chretien, pastor officiating. Contributions may be made in Wendell's memory to, Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401 or First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 703 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401.A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor. Sources Maine Cemeteries: Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Augusta,ME SECTION H ROW 9 SITE 31