Carl Island

Carl B. Island was born November 14th, 1944 in Fairfield, Alabama to the late John Eiland and Alma Eiland. He had one older brother the late Charles Eiland also of Fairfield, Alabama. Carl passed away peacefully on May 26th with his family by his side after an extended battle with leukemia and dementia.

Carl grew up in Fairfield, Alabama and graduated from Holy Family High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Upon graduation he entered the United States Navy and then the Navy Reserves. He moved to Dayton, OH in 1968 after visiting his best friends and he never left. Here is where he met his devoted wife of 50 years. From that marriage, there is one daughter Natasha Bryant.

Carl worked at McCall’s for several years and then went to work for General Motors where he retired after 30 years of services. Growing bored with sitting at home, he decided to go back to work as an Adult Day Care transporter for Senior Resource Connection until he decided to retire yet again.

Carl became a faithful member of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church for 10+ years where he was an usher and volunteered every chance he could to be a service.

Carl had an infectious laugh that made others smile and could be heard any time he was with family and friends. He was a member of the Vampires Motorcycle Club and the Van’s Plus Van Club for several years. He traveled through the US to be with family, excitedly attending family reunions from California to Virginia with many stops in between. But by far his favorite trips were back home to Alabama to visit the street he grew up on and all the relatives in the area.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Alma Eiland, bother Charles Eiland, brothers-in-law, John H. Gates and Andrew A. Bonner, sister-in-law Bobbie (Bobby) Heard, best friend Clyde Mallory and other close relatives.

He leaves to cherish his loving wife Virginia Island, daughter Natasha (Lionell) Bryant and grandson Quentin Bryant. His brothers and sisters-in-law: Ruth Gates of Dayton, OH; Edward (Jean) Bonner Sr. of Lithonia, GA; Betty Heard and Roger (Pat) Bonner, both of LaGrange, GA. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and amazing friends that are too many to name.

An intimate service will be held a St. Benedict the Moor Friday, June 5th.  Interment will be held at the Dayton National Cemetery. Due to Covid-19, we are unable to accept visitors during this time.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.