Ervin Eberhart

Ervin Eberhart, 88, of Benton Harbor, went to meet his Lord & Savior on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at his home. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Martin Weigand officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Eberhart was born January 15, 1920 in Ravno, Poland to George & Julianna (Link) Eberhardt. Ervin served his country in the United States Army, stationed in England during WWII. While in England, he met Marjorie Reeves and was united with her in Holy Matrimony on August 13, 1943 in Longton, England. In February of 1946, Marjorie joined Ervin in the US, settling in Bainbridge Township on the fruit farm which they operated together for many years. In addition to farming, Ervin worked at Clark Equipment and later at Cast-Matic from where he retired at age 65 in 1985. He was a hardworking man who never retired from farming. Ervin thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in the apple orchard and the grape vineyard. He was a member of the Welch’s Co-op and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Ervin loved his Lord and his Church, and cherished the time he spent with his family. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. Mr. Eberhart is survived by his children-Jean (Richard) Gitersonke & John (Mary) Eberhart, both of Benton Harbor, Iris (John) Mann of Fennville, MI; six grandchildren-Heather Nielson, Joseph (Lisa) Gitersonke, Andrea Gitersonke, Angela Eberhart, Elizabeth Eberhart, Max Eberhart; nine great-grandchildren-Caitalyn, Marjorie, Diana & Rebecca Nielson & their father James Nielson; Devon, Jake, & Emalie Gitersonke & their mother Kristina Gitersonke, Ashley & Nichole Edgerley; and his sister Natalie Plee of St. Joseph; and a special niece Norma Sill of St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjorie on December 30, 2004, by his sister Marie Markwart, and by three brothers-Ted, Ernest & Fred Eberhardt.