Freeland-based mortgage lender Ron Eaton has handed out loans for more than two decades.

Back in 1990, he converted an old pub into office space and opened the doors of Island Security Mortgage, Inc. Kevin Engstrom joined the business as a partner five years later to create First Island Financial Corp., which operated until it merged with Peoples Bank in 2011. Eaton’s 23rd anniversary of business was marked June 18. “We wish to thank our business partners, fellow Freeland merchants and our many, many customers for their support and business through the years,” wrote the partners in a news release.