Willis Eberly

Willis Martin Eberly was born on April 12, 1932, to Ira and Elizabeth (Martin) Eberly near Orrville, Ohio. He quietly left us and went to that Beautiful Land on August 20, 2021. He was 89 years old. Dad was taught to read the Bible and pray. He felt his lost condition at the age of 12 and upon committing his life to Christ he found peace with God. Willis married Mary Ellen Weaver on August 15, 1953. Dad was diligent in his Christian life and upon a confession of his faith, Dad together with Mom was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at the Rock of Ages Congregation, Kidron, Ohio on July 30, 1967, by Minister Robert Holdeman. One morning upon awakening the verse came to him, “For the Lord is good: His mercy is everlasting: and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps 105:5 He expressed his gratitude and confessed his faults many times and was faithful to the Faith until the end. Willis grew up on a dairy farm near Orrville, Ohio. He continued that occupation on the same farm until he retired. He enjoyed his work and gave careful attention to details. Their seven daughters have many good memories of life on the farm. He received his education in the Dalton Public Schools graduating in 1950. Dad and Mom spent two years in Beltsville, Maryland in 1-W service where Dad worked in the dairy section of the Federal Experiment Farm. They made many lifelong friends during that time. Dad and Mom started a greenhouse in their later years which they continued into their retirement. They enjoyed meeting all their customers. Our father was of a quiet nature and didn`t express his inner feeling with a lot of words. This didn`t hinder the expression of his faith in God and love of the truth. This was evident by the many hours he and Mom spent sharing the gospel by servicing tract routes and understanding the worth of the Word through the printed page. The time Dad and Mom spent as missionaries in Newfoundland, Canada and later in Harrison, Michigan were special highlights in their lives. Dad enjoyed viewing the night skies through his telescope. Due to his interest and study of astronomy, he would keep us informed of unusual planet alignments and eclipses even getting us out of bed at night to see some of them. In January, 2016, Dad and Mom moved into the Maple View Assisted Living in Ithaca, Michigan to be near their daughter, Grace. Mom left Dad`s side on May 26, 2020 after 66 happy years together. The loss of Mom along with the restrictions of the pandemic left him very lonely, but he had pleasure in reading, taking part in morning devotions, Sunday School discussions, going outside to feed the birds, and talking to us by phone every day. The day came when he said he was too tired to feed the birds and we all realized that more care was needed. The family is very grateful for the loving care Dad received by Grace and David, the staff of Maple View Assisted Living, and the Care Team. Left with cherished memories are his daughters: Lois and Chester Toews, St. Marys, Ontario; Ellen and Russell Toews, Moorefield, Ontario; Grace and David Mininger, Ithaca, Michigan; Lenore and Lester Penner, Perrysville, Ohio; Irene and Randy Holdeman, Wakarusa, Indiana; Annette and Anthony Eicher, Faunsdale, Alabama; Catherine and Chris Unruh, Grand View, Idaho: twenty-nine grandchildren and fifty-eight great grandchildren; two of Mom`s sisters, Sara Weaver of Columbiana, Ohio and Anna Katherine Reesor of Stouffville, Ontario; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen, his parents and parents-in-law, his five sisters and their spouses. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. at the Rock of Ages Mennonite Church, 4451 S. Kansas Road, Apple Creek, Ohio, with Ministers John Martin, Phil Schrock, and Wade Buller officiating. The family will receive friends for a viewing from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the church on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Burial will take place in the church cemetery immediately following the funeral.