Jon Michael Eaves, 82

Jon Michael Eaves, age 82, of New Prague, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Jon was born in North Platte, Nebraska on June 7, 1939 to Beuford and Genevieve (Goodmanson) Eaves.  He was the middle child to siblings, Gerhard Andrew, Janet Hildred, Beuford Allyn, and Gordon Eugene.  He grew up in a home filled with love, music, and many beloved pets and where hard work and honesty were the cornerstones.  From an early age he developed a deep faith in our Lord that guided him all through life. Jon graduated from North Platte High School and then went on to Phillips University in Enid, OK, transferred to Wayne State Teacher’s College in Wayne, NE and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Kearney State College in Kearney, NE.  Immediately after college, he entered the US Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate Training in Pensacola, FL.  He was commissioned as an officer and went into flight training. He flew C-130’s out of McGuire AFB for 3 ½ years, which saw him flying missions all over the world and into Vietnam. Upon leaving the US Navy, Jon became a pilot for American Airlines, feeding his lifelong passion for flying, and retiring in 1999.

 Jon married Karen Kasha, with whom he had his two children, Todd and Jennifer.  When that marriage ended, he met and married Paige Boyce.  After her death, Jon once again found love through quite remarkable circumstances.  He married Gay Beinhorn Bohnsack on April 20, 2013 at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesburgh, MN, which brought him to New Prague and enriched the community which he whole-heartedly embraced.

 Jon was truly a Renaissance man with many and varied interests.  He remained active throughout his life, a runner before running was popular, a swimmer, skier, and scuba diver.  His talents were particularly prolific in music. He was a gifted musician and vocalist; he played the violin, oboe, and bassoon but singing was his greatest passion, humming all the time and a one-time member of a chorale in Colorado Springs.  He dabbled in carpentry, loved to tinker, and was a venerable “Mr. Fix-It”.  In his younger years he built a train city with his interest in model trains.  He was fascinated by computers and in fact, built his own.

 Jon is survived by his wife, Gay Eaves of New Prague; children, Todd (Dee) Eaves of Kenosha, WI, Jennifer (Douglas) Hayes of Clive, IA; stepsons, Joel (Nicole) Bohnsack of Lantana, TX, Carl Bohnsack of Chanhassan, MN; grandchildren, Brenna & Tristan Eaves, and Emma, Preston, & Andrew Hayes; brother, Allyn (Dee) Eaves of Apple Valley, MN; sister-in-law, Verna Eaves of Pittsburgh, PA.  He is preceded in death by wife, Paige Boyce Eaves; his parents; brothers, Gery & Gordon; sister, Janet Harman; step-daughter, Julie Ann Bohnsack in infancy.

 Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 3 PM at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesburgh, MN with Pastor Henry Koch officiating.  Visitation will take place at church from 1 – 3 PM.  Burial will occur in Friedens Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the New Prague Area Veterans Honor Guard.  Lunch will follow in the church social hall.  bruzekfuneralhome.com

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