Perry Bivens Eaton

Perry Bivens Eaton, 91, of West Bend, Wisconsin, passed away on March 5, 2023. He is preceded in his death by his wife, Catherine; sister, Francenia; and son-in-law, Raymond.

Perry was born January 27, 1932, to Nora and Orville Eaton in Topeka, Kansas. The family moved several times, eventually ending up in Kansas City, Missouri. He joined the Navy in 1950 and fought in the Korean War. After the war he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While in Milwaukee, he went to a dance at The Eagles Ballroom and met the love of his life, Catherine Steinhoff. He and Cathy were married for 63 years until she passed in 2018. They were fiercely devoted to each other. One year after they married they welcomed Barbara Ann. Eleven months later came Debra Ann. Linda Ann joined the family in 1961 and finally a son, Timothy Perry, arrived in 1963.

Perry worked as an electrician most of his life, also dabbling into real estate. He began his own business, Perry’s Electric, and moved the family to Saukville. Five years later they moved to West Bend, because of the schools, and that is where they settled and raised their family. Family was everything to Perry and Cathy and they provided a loving home where many memories were made. They were so excited to welcome grandchildren and were the consummate doting grandma and grandpa. Perry and Catherine valued education. Perry worked several jobs to be able to put his children through college. He was so proud of that and so happy his children carried on that value to their children.

Perry had many hobbies. He loved technology and was one of the first to have a Commodore 64 computer. He purchased an electric car at the age of 86. He had a great love for music and had 64,000 songs on his computer. He loved cooking and gardening and was already planning for his tomato plants this summer.

He is survived by his sister, Evangeline; daughters: Barbara Anderson, Debra Kincaide (Mike), and Linda Beltran (Stu); son, Timothy; grandchildren: Ryan Kincaide (Connie), Molly Merkey(Paul), Katie Bartolerio ( Nick), William Eaton, and Margaret Eaton; great grandchildren, James Kincaide, Eliana and Lydia Bartolerio, and Madeline and Miles Merkey.

The family would like to thank the VA Home Based Staff, his caregivers, and the medical professionals. 

A Memorial Mass to celebrate the lives of Perry and Catherine will be held at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend on April 15, 2023, at 10AM, with a luncheon to follow.