Obituary of Donald Eberhardt

Donald Keith Eberhardt, 58, of Wisconsin Rapids, died early Sunday morning, April 21, 2013 at his residence in the Town of Grant. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24th Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services on Wednesday at the funeral home. There will also be a time of fellowship following the service at the funeral home. Don was born May 7, 1954 in Wisconsin Rapids to John and Leona (Neumann) Eberhardt. He married Gayle Sievers on September 15, 1973 at St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner. The couple was blessed with nearly 40 years of marriage and four children. Don was employed as a shop foreman for Mid-State Trucking and was very dedicated to his job and to helping others, whether they were customers or co-workers. He was a Mr. Fix-It and was always there to lend a hand or give advice. Don enjoyed farming and raised chickens, horses, and bees. He liked to be outdoors, cutting wood and making maple syrup. Don also enjoyed woodworking and building and racing stock cars and was an avid coin collector. Don is survived by his wife, Gayle; four children: Eric Eberhardt (Joannie Oertel) of Rudolph, and Dan Eberhardt, Steve Eberhardt, and Carrie Eberhardt (Luke VanNatta) all of Wisconsin Rapids; two grandchildren: Brandi and Kayla Neidlein; one brother, Gordon Eberhardt of Wisconsin Rapids; two sisters: Susan Alft of Wisconsin Rapids and Linda (Craig) Schlottman of Marion, Indiana; his mother-in-law, Agnes Sievers of Wisconsin Rapids; brothers-and-sisters in-law: James (Kim) Sievers Jr. of Auburndale, Allen (Janene) Sievers of Wisconsin Rapids, Patti Roginski (Michael Mantie) of Pleasant Prairie, David (Kim) Sievers of Rudolph, Brenda Grosskreutz (Wayne Buelow) of Knowlton, Daniel Sievers of Nekoosa, and Ron (Angie) Sievers of Marshfield; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Francis Alft, sister-in-law, Arlene Eberhardt, and father-in-law, James Sievers Sr. The family will be establishing a memorial scholarship at Mid-State Technical College in Don?s name at a later date. ?Special thanks to UW Cancer Center-Riverview, Dr. Kirschling and all of the cancer nurses that provided Don with care and support. Special thanks also to Don?s children and family that were with him throughout his illness.?