Rosemary Costello Eastman (Rae)

Sep. 17, 1930 – April 16, 2022

Rosemary Costello Eastman (Rae) passed away peacefully on April 16, 2022, at home in Evansville, Indiana, with family at her side.  She lived a long and happy life for over 91 years.

She was born on Sep. 17, 1930, to Edward and Helen (Foran) Costello in Omaha, Neb.

Mrs. Eastman graduated from Cathedral High School in Omaha in 1949, before entering the work world for ten years.  She stole the heart of John (Jack) Eastman and the two were married on April 12, 1958.  They shared a warm and loving marriage together for 62 years, and successfully raised nine children.

Following the birth of their two oldest children in Omaha and Peoria, the couple moved the family to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where they lived for over 55 years.  Raising children and running a large household was a fulltime undertaking for Mrs. Eastman.  She made daily runs to the grocery store and cooked healthy meals in very large portions.  The family dined together on most nights and Sunday dinners were always special.  She enjoyed 30 years in retirement with her husband.  They enjoyed traveling to visit their children and loved to attend any events involving their grandchildren.  Mrs. Eastman took great pleasure in caring for her family and she was very proud of all the many achievements.  For many years, she enjoyed water aerobics and daily walks.

She will be remembered fondly as mom, grandma, great grandma (GG) and aunt by nine kids, sixteen grandkids, four great grandchildren. These were roles she was born to play…and she loved spending time with all of them.  Mrs. Eastman was friendly to everyone.  She took great care of her family, possessing a giving personality and a sharp wit.  She will be dearly missed and forever our “Irish Rose”.

Survivors include her nine children and their spouses: Julie (Jerry) Niccum, Ed (Renee) Eastman, John Eastman, Jr., Joanie (Joe) Durchholz, Terri McConnell (Lloyd McConnell deceased), Tom (Susan) Eastman, Janet (Mike) Heinold, Nancy (Daryl) Swick and Jeff (Annie) Eastman; grandchildren and great grandchildren Danny and Katie (with husband, Allen Lormand) Niccum, Mike (with fiancée Kathryn Jokela) and Alex Eastman, Julia (and daughter Ava), Jessica (with husband, Nick Kleaving, and son, Henry), Louie, and Joe Durchholz, Sam (with wife, Rachel, and son Theodor) and Hannah Eastman, Emma and Eddie Heinold, Kaleb Swick (with fiancée, Riley Shaner, and daughter Millie) and Emily, Sylvia and Will Eastman; her brother Jim; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Jack, who passed in April 2020; her parents; and siblings Ed, Bill, Renee and Steve.

May she rest in peace under the good grace of God.    

A visitation is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana.  It is scheduled to be immediately followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m.  For those who wish to honor Rosemary’s memory, you are invited to make memorial donations to her favored charity: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).