Edward Easterling

Edward Henry Easterling, 57, of Auxvasse, died at 5:20 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11, at the First Christian Church with Rev. David Nash officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the First Christian Church. Pickering Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Edward was born August 13, 1956, in Mullins, S.C., and grew up in Hartsville, S.C., a son of Samuel Edward Easterling, Jr. and Ella May (Walters) Easterling. On June 8, 1986, he married Lori L. Osbourn on the family farm in Monroe City, MO.

Along with his wife Lori, survivors include two sons, Schuyler and Ralls Easterling of Auxvasse; and one sister, Elizabeth Easterling Carnes and husband Tony of Hartsville, S.C.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant daughter, Shelby Easterling.

Edward earned a B.S. in Poultry Science from Clemson University in 1978, M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Auburn University in 1980, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of MissouriColumbia in 1984.

He was currently a professor at William Woods University. Teaching there since 1985, Easterling served many capacities at WWU, including Academic Advisor to Alpha Chi Omega social sorority and Alpha Chi honorary society. He was the only four-time winner (1987, 1991, 1999, and 2013) of the Louis D. Beaumont Dad's Association Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching. Easterling was also a recipient of the prestigious T.A. Abbott Award for quality teaching with the integration of Christian faith and learning, and the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2001. Since 1985, Easterling was a member of the Missouri Valley Economics Association, serving as director and presenting numerous times.

Prior to Williams Woods he worked as an Economist for the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service from 1983-85, and from 1980-81 was a Research Associate for the Department of Agricultural Economics at Mississippi State University. Throughout his career, Easterling had been involved in numerous research projects and had more than 20 research publications.

He was a very active member of First Christian Church, Mexico. He had served in numerous leadership capacities including, Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and Sunday School Teacher. He was also very active in Boy Scouts serving as Cubmaster for Pack 32, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 32, and he served as Scoutmaster for Troop 1119 to the National Jamboree in 2010.

He was an avid outdoorsman and loving family man.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.