Orville Eaton

Dec. 13, 1946 – April 10, 2025  

On the morning of April 10, 2025, Orville F. Eaton, 78, of Trout Creek, Montana raised his hand and took Jesus’s to join him in Heaven. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. 

Orville was born on a Friday the 13th in the middle of a blizzard in Plentywood, Montana to Helen M. Eaton and Robert K. Eaton. He spent part of his kindergarten year in Eureka, Montana after which the family moved to Trout Creek. From then on, Trout Creek remained his home for the remainder of his life.  

After his parents divorced when Orville was eight years old, Hans Pedersen became Orville’s dad. Orville graduated high school in Thompson Falls, Montana in 1965 and went on to join the U.S. Army Reserve, spending six years in the military. During that time, he did what he loved best, operating heavy equipment at one of the Army’s few military-operated sawmills at Fort Missoula.  

Professionally, Orville loved working in the woods and in the lumber industry, working 30 years for the sawmill in Thompson Falls. During his time there, he worked a variety of positions, even mowing the grounds of the mill to ensure he reached his 30 years.  

He also enjoyed building things, and his wife Lynne Eaton said he built them so solidly you could drive a Cat over them, and they’d keep standing.  

Orville met Lynne through the Lutheran church, and it seemed like they’d always known one another. Lynne and his sister, Judy, played together as children and there is some suspicion that Orville and Lynne’s moms may have decided the pair were a good match. They were married in 1974 and enjoyed more than 50 years of life together before Orville’s passing.  

Orville and Lynne welcomed two sets of three children. Candy, Crissy and Tammie joined the family in the late 1970s. Bryant, Dillon and Acacia joined the family in the 1990s. His children remember him for his love, sense of humor and mentorship. He enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by his wife, children and family during family get-togethers that often included others in the community. Generally, he was the last to eat, wanting to ensure everyone had their fill before he sat down to eat himself.  

Everyone he knew became friends or family. His nephews, nieces and dozens of others throughout Sanders County looked to Orville as a father figure and friend. If you were around Orville and you weren’t smiling or laughing, it was probably your fault. 

Orville loved meeting new neighbors and making them feel welcome, and in Trout Creek and the nearby area, everyone was considered a neighbor. Meeting new people and learning about them over a cup of coffee was something he loved.  

As his grandson, Camryn said, “He was nice.” 

Orville also loved farming, ranching, logging, hunting and fishing – generally spending as much time in the woods as possible. He passed his love of those things on to his children and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping trips with the family whenever it could be put into the family’s schedule.  

Orville’s faith was important to him throughout his life. He and Lynne passed their love of God and Jesus on to their children. For many years he was a moderator at Trout Creek Community Church, serving that house of faith through growth and community service.  

In Orville’s later years, after his mobility had lessened, Orville continued to reach out to family and friends each morning with a cheerful message and pictures of flowers to help them start their days on a positive note.  

Orville was preceded in death by his father, Robert K. Eaton, mother, Helen M. Pedersen, dad, Hans Pedersen, and son, Dillon Eaton.  

Orville is survived by his loving wife, Lynne Eaton, sister, Judy Rodgers, daughters Candy Eaton (Willie Peachie), Crissy Lord (Brad), Tamie Eaton (Kevin Brown), Acacia Eaton (Nick Everitt) and son Bryant Eaton. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren – five grandsons, two granddaughters.  

A celebration of life will be held April 19, 2025, at the Cabinet Mountain Bible Church at 11 a.m. with a potluck to follow. The family is requesting that attendees wear their brightest attire, as Orville loved bright colors.  

Orville personified Philippians 2-3:4 – In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but ... to the interests of the others.