Leonard “Nook” Eason, age 76, of Chesterton, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Valparaiso, IN. He was born on September 30, 1932 in Porter, IN.

He was married on October 4, 1993 in Las Vegas, Nev. to Rita Rerick who survives in Chesterton.

Leonard is also survived by his children, Tiffany (Mark) Bailey of Chesterton and Tim (Deborah) Gacsy of South Carolina; siblings, Norma (Bob) Chartier of Florida, Doris Bickel of Ohio, Shirley Harris of Kansas City, MO, Bud (Margaret) Eason of Michigan City, Fred (Linda) Eason of Valparaiso, Pat (George) Peldys of Michigan, Richard (Connie) Eason of Valparaiso, Marlene Westergreen of Chesterton and Ruth Nadol of Florida; grandchildren, Ashbie and Griffin Gascy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Anna (Fritsh) Eason and brother Tommy Eason.

Leonard was a lifelong area resident. He was a member of the Izaak Walton Miller Chapter, the Calumet Mason Lodge and the Chesterton Moose Lodge #1623.

Leonard graduated from Chesterton High School, where he participated in four sports. He ran cross country for two years, played baseball for three years, was on the track team for four years, and was very successful during his four years playing basketball.

Leonard scored 1,229 career points, holding the school record for more than 50 years, until it was broken in 2008. During his sophomore year, he finished second in the country in scoring and then took the area scoring title as a junior with 483 points (20+ per game). As a senior, Eason scored 347 points and finished his career with a 14.6 points per game average. He scored more than 30 points on several occasions and was held scoreless only once in his 84 game career. On June 10 of this year, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Chesterton High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Leonard also advanced to the State Finals in the shot put as a senior with a third place finish at the Mishawaka Regional. He was the only state qualifier from Porter County that season. Leonard attended Western Michigan University on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a B.A. in Teaching.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 30, at 8:00 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services at 8:00 p.m. Cremation will be performed by Heritage Crematory, Portage, IN.

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