Dexter Wallace Eaton
Brother Ignatius, O.S.B.
Dexter Wallace Eaton, 92, SCARBOROUGH-Dexter Eaton went home to be with the Lord March 31, 2017 at the Maine Veterans’ Home three days before his 93rd birthday. He was born April 3, 1924 at home on Cedar Street in Portland, Maine to Edwin and Bessie (Nunan) Eaton, the youngest of five children. He attended Portland schools, graduating from Portland High School in 1942. He attended Gorham Normal School (now University of Southern Maine) until he was called into active duty by the U.S. Army. While stationed in Iowa, Dexter met Mary A. Eichholz and it was love at first sight. They married and after being discharged from the Army settled in Clinton, Iowa to raise their family. They had three children- Patricia Ann, Edwin Brooks and Charles Edward. Dexter was a dedicated family man who always cherished the time he spent with his wife and children. After his children were raised he and Mary moved back to his beloved Maine. They settled in Kennebunkport not far from his mother’s family home. After Mary’s death Dexter took his vows as a Brother of the Order of Saint Benedict choosing the name of Ignatius after being inspired by the story of his martyrdom.
While in Iowa Dexter worked for many years at E.I. DuPont Co. He began in the laboratory and advanced to the position of Mechanical Designer. This move was indicative of his life. No matter what he did he was not content to sit back and watch. Whether at the Odd Fellow’s or at church or in his community he would always take on a leading role. He became a member of the Odd Fellows in 1947 and held all offices including Noble Grand, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Maine IOOF and was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Odd Fellows Home and Nursing Care Facility in Auburn, Maine. He attended churches in Iowa and Maine serving on the vestry at all of them. While in Clinton, Iowa he was elected to the City Council. While a councilman he served his community with characteristic zeal.
Dexter was preceded in death by his wife Mary, son Edwin, his parents Edwin and Bessie, his sister Barbara, and brothers Chester, Howard and Clifford. He is survived by his children Chuck (Kathy) Eaton and Pat (Ron) Archer; three grandchildren, Carley Marie Eaton, Leanne Marie Archer and Laura Michelle (Tom) Niemczycki; one great-grandson Aaron Tadeusz Niemczycki.
The family would like to thank the Maine Veterans’ Home for the loving care they provided to Dexter. Due to a special activity fund, at age 89 Dexter was able to realize a lifelong dream of riding a horse. The family requests that any donations be made to the activity fund at Maine Veterans’ Home, 290 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Visiting hours will be held at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk from 3-5 PM Sunday, April 2nd with a funeral service to be held at 11 AM Monday, April 3rd at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 279 Congress Street, Portland. A private interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Kennebunk.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Dexter’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.