Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – Jan 24, 2002

Bernard F. Eberlein

Dec. 9, 1939 - Jan. 21, 2002

Bernard Francis Eberlein, 62, of Campbell Street, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 6:21 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in Battle Creek, Mich., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Bernie was born on Dec. 9, 1939, in Steuben County, Ind., to the late Sylvester and Roberta (Green) Eberlein. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Chesser; and by a brother, Francis Eberlein.

Bernie is survived by a son, Stephen Eberlein of Mishawaka; four stepsons, Robert (Barb) Tessely of South Bend, Joseph (Misty) Tessely, Jeff and Jerry Willingham, all of Mishawaka; a stepdaughter, Marcia Pierce of Osceola, Ind.; a granddaughter, Payton Tessely; six sisters, Mary Tyler of Great Valley, N.Y., Theresa Fowler of South Bend, Kathy Pipkens of Hohenwald, Tenn., Linda Atwood, Pat Donaho and Louann Flannery, all of Mishawaka; three brothers, George Eberlein of Somerville, Mass., Greg Eberlein of Mishawaka and Joseph Eberlein of Zephyrhills, Fla.; and by his former wife, Mary (Nablo) Eberlein of Mishawaka.

Bernie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka where he was an usher for over 30 years. He was a life member of the Penn South Fire Department in Mishawaka, the Indiana Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, the N.R.A., and the United Rubber Workers while employed at UniRoyal in the 60s. For the past 23 years, Bernie was a truck driver for Hartson and Kennedy Cabinet Company in Elkhart, Ind. Through the years, Bernie had many favorite charities which included Boys Town, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and various police and firefighters agencies.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 24, in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, in St. Joseph Church, with Fr. Robert A. Yast officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boys Town or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.