Local hospice chaplain ministers to the dying

CANFIELD — As a hospice chaplain, Pastor Jay Eastman ministers to individuals and families during a traumatic time — the last six months of life.

In 2012, the pastor of Canfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and chaplain of the Canfield Police Department became the first hospice chaplain to graduate from the Clinical Pastoral Education led by the Rev. Darryl Hanson of Spiritual Care and Education Center in Toledo.

Pastor Eastman was a volunteer chaplain from 1995-99 with Hospice of the Valley, Humility of Mary Health Partners. In 2000, he was hired as a hospice chaplain.

Pastor Eastman has a divinity degree from Master’s Divinity School in Indiana. He said he shies away from using his doctor title. As part of that, he dresses casually.

As a hospice chaplain, Pastor Eastman said he “offers emotional and spiritual support” to the dying and their families. The chaplain gets involved by patient request. Most of his home-based patients are in Trumbull County with some in Mahoning County, while nursing home patients are in both counties. Hospice chaplains are on call 24/7.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com