Obituary of Jerry Eberhart

Jerry John Eberhart entered into eternal rest on Saturday October 12, 2013 at his home in Burlington, Colorado. He was born on December 10, 1933 in Armel, Colorado to Rudolph and Lena Lampe Eberhart. He was welcomed by his three older siblings, Ruth, Marlin, and Dale. Jerry attended different country schools until third grade when he went to Green Valley School. After moving again, he attended Smoky Hill School through the seventh grade. His eighth grade year was his first year attending Burlington High School. He played football, baseball, and ran track. He graduated in 1951. After high school, he worked on the crew that helped build Highway 385, attended Otero Junior College in La Junta, and worked on a harvest crew. In 1955 he joined the army. He went to Fort Carson, Colorado for eight weeks of basic training. He was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington then reported for duty at the Presidio in San Francisco, California where he earned a spot on the Sixth Army Honor Guard. He transferred to Fort Ord Army Base near Monterey, California and was promoted to Private First Class. He was discharged from the army January 28, 1957. While on leave from basic training, Jerry was best man at his brother Dale's wedding. There he met and fell in love with Donna Rae O'Halloran. After returning to Burlington, he and Donna married in Stratton, Colorado on March 1, 1958. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this past March. To this union, they had two sons and one daughter. Jeffrey Jon was born June 7, 1959, Jay David was born April 28, 1961, and Jill Jerae was born July 26, 1967. In 1967, he started Eberhart Fertilizer, where Kugler is today and also his farming career began. Jerry had a lifelong passion for sports, his favorite being fastpitch softball. The love of the game became a family tradition. Other hobbies of Jerry's included Sunday outings at Bonny Dam, elk hunting, tinkering at the shop, drinking coffee at Vince's, golfing, and always being his grandkids number one fan at any activity or sporting event. Jerry was baptized on December 20, 1959 in the First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he was a long time member. He took pride in being part of the building committee to build the new church and the celebration of the mortgage burning just a month ago. Jerry always strived to be a model of his Christian faith by being kind, forgiving, selfless, and big hearted. His most devoted act as a husband was exhibited the past two years when he became Donna's primary caregiver. His cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, and any other household chore was an example of his love and dedication to her and exemplified the true meaning of what a selfless person he was. He was preceded in death by his parents Rudy and Lena, his brother Dale, and his son Jay David. He leaves behind his wife Donna Rae of Burlington, sister Ruth Wilcox and her husband Russ of Burlington, brother Marlin Eberhart and his wife Darlene of Burlington, son Jeffrey Jon of Burlington and his kids Colin Jay and Erin Leann of Fort Collins, daughter Jill Jerae and her husband Jeff County of Burlington and their kids Jenna Jerae and fiancé Michael Satterly of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jade Jerae and Jett Michael of Burlington and his constant companion, Maggie Mae along with many other relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.