Ray J. Eberly, 93, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 5:45 p.m. on November 1, 2019 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester. One of six children, Ray was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, on April 25, 1926 to Levi and Mary (Mishler) Eberly.
Ray attended Larwill High School and in 1946 joined the U.S. Army. In July 1946 Ray married Joyce Joan Shaffer. The two were wed for twenty-five years before Joyce Joan went to heaven. Ray was lucky enough to find love again, however, and on August 19, 1973 he married Ruth G. “Gerry” Geiger. The two spent forty-six wonderful years together.
First and foremost, Ray was a man who believed and loved the Lord. Every Sunday he took his family to church and was involved in various church activities, including serving as a trustee. During Ray’s life he worked as a farmer and also drove school bus for Manchester Community Schools for thirty years. He volunteered his time to the community by serving on Chester Township Fire Department for ten years and the Chester Township Advisory Board for six years. Ray also volunteered his time with various 4-H activities his children were a part of and later activities involving his grandchildren. In all, Ray was involved in 4-H and the Wabash County Fair for fifty-three years. 4-H wasn’t the only way that Ray would show his love for his grandkids, though. He attended any and all events they participated in, and many times that included driving their teams to away games. Ray was a long-time supporter of Manchester High School athletics as well. He was a season ticket holder for fifty years. For relaxation, Ray was an avid basketball fan, relished his time fishing, and loved to travel around the world. Most of all, though, Ray enjoyed the company of his family and friends.
The loving memory of Ray J. Eberly will forever be in the hearts of his wife, Ruth G. “Gerry” Eberly, North Manchester; sons, Ronald (Joyce) Eberly, Gary (Karen) Eberly, Scott (Darla) Eberly, all of North Manchester and Nick (Jon Morgan) Eberly, Elkhart, Indiana; step-son, Gregg Geiger, Churubusco, Indiana; step-daughter, Janet (Norm) Clarke, West Springfield, Massachusetts; brother, Lee Eberly, South Whitley; sister Glea Rule, Columbia City, Indiana; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joyce Joan Eberly; one son, Kurt Eberly; two brothers George and Dean Eberly; and one sister Phyllis Birtwhistle.
Family and friends may call Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services will begin on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with calling beginning at 9:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary. Burial will be at South Whitley Cemetery, South Whitley, Indiana. Pastor Kurt Stout will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Brethren Church, 407 North Sycamore Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46814.