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Donald J.(Don) Eberhard, age 91, of Colon, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the Branch County Community Health Center in Coldwater, due to multiple health issues. He was born Oct. 22, 1923, on South Clay Street in Sturgis, the first born of Roy and Rose (Holtz) Eberhard. Don graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1942 and was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County. During World War II, Don proudly served his country for three years. An Army Staff Sergeant in the 75th Infantry Division, he served in Europe and saw action in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, and Ruhr Valley, earning three Major Battle Stars.
After the war he worked at Kirsch Co. in Sturgis for 40 years, 35 of those as a supervisor.
On May 28, 1948, he married the love of his life, Lois Watson. They made their home in Colon where they had 66 wonderful years together. They raised three children, Phyllis Eberhard of Grand Rapids, Susan (Terry) DeBoer of Grand Rapids, and Gregory (Patti) Eberhard of Three Rivers.
Don was civic-minded and served the Village of Colon and Colon Township for more than 40 years. He served on the village council, school board, library board, township planning commission, and township zoning board of appeals. He was a member of the Colon American Legion Post #454. For 27 years he was part of a “chain gang” at the Colon High School home football games. Prior to that, in the era of 8mm home movies, he took game films that Magi Coach Deloss Inman used to critique his team each week. Don was most proud of having represented the Colon Community Schools Board of Education on the Feasibility Committee that lead to the creation of Glen Oaks Community College.
An avid hunter from an early age, Don spent more than 80 years hunting anything that could be chased with hound dogs. He especially enjoyed hunting with beagles, which he raised for 65 years. He was also a loyal Detroit Lions and University of Michigan football fan from 1946 until his passing.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy (Glen) George of Longview, Texas and Lois (Don) Wolf of Modesto, Calif.; and brother William (Lois) Eberhard of Waynesboro, Va.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by five granddaughters, Alison (Kenny) Stinson, Ashley DeBoer, Jennifer (Jesse) Holms, Amelia Eberhard, and Michaela (Jay) Stinson. He was also anticipating the arrival of two more great-grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. Funeral services celebrating the life of Donald J. Eberhard will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at the funeral home, with Mr. David J. Farrell officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, with military honors conferred by the Colon American Legion and U.S. Army Honor Guard.
If desired the family suggest memorials be made in memory of Don to either Colon Rescue Squad or Colon Township Library. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
