Harry W. Eberhart

Dec. 11, 1917 - Jan. 2, 1999

Harry William ''Jim'' Eberhart, 81, of Birchwood Drive, Mishawaka, Ind., died after a brief illness at 1:50 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, in St. Joseph Community Hospital, Mishawaka.

Mr. Eberhart was born in Mishawaka on Dec. 11, 1917, to Harry Walter and Margaret (Weiss) Eberhart, who preceded him in death. The Eberharts were one of Mishawaka's earliest founding families.

On June 18, 1938, he married Marcella Marko at Our Lady of Hungary Church, South Bend, Ind. Mrs. Eberhart survives.

He is also survived by their three children, Gloria Long and Rebecca (Richard) Bonne of Mishawaka, and Richard Eberhart of Encinitas, Calif.; four grandchildren, William Mennucci of Austin, Texas, Michele (Mennucci) Wassmuth of Silver Spring, Md., Andrew C. Long of Greer, S.C., and Nicole (Eberhart) Garcia of Long Beach, N.Y.; a great-grandchild, Ryan R. Garcia; and by Mr. Eberhart's twin sisters, Dorothy Raymond and Doris Forsberg of Arlington, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Eberhart.

Mr. Eberhart was employed by H.D. Lee where he met his wife of 60 years. He was a 28-year employee of the Studebaker Corporation. Among his positions he was a test driver at the Studebaker proving grounds and, at the time of the plant closing, was a maintenance supervisor.

Mr. Eberhart retired in 1980 from the Chrysler Assembly Plant, Belvidere, Ill., as a superintendent of maintenance. Since his formal retirement he had held part-time positions with the Mishawaka Parks Department and the Battell Community Center.

Mr. Eberhart was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council 735, Belvidere, Illinois. He was named Volunteer of the Year at the Battell Center numerous times and was the woodworking instructor at the facility. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus, Mishawaka, Battell Woodcarvers Club, Kiwanis, Moose Lodge, Eberhart Men's Golf Association, Board of Directors of Townhouses East, president of the board of the Battell Center, and was also a Boy Scout master. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, where he was an usher.

Mr. Eberhart was a skilled carpenter and artist. His skills were for the most part self-taught, and he took great pleasure and pride in using them civically and to help family and friends. He was devoted to his wife and family and was a friend to all he met. Harry touched the lives of many people and will be profoundly missed.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Bubb Funeral Chapel North, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka, where a Rosary service will be recited at 3 p.m. There will be a Mass for Mr. Eberhart at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Eberhart's name to the Battell Center Memorial Fund, 904 North Main Street, Mishawaka; or to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund, 225 South Mill Street, Mishawaka.