Frank A. Eberhard

Eberhard, Frank A.Essexville, MichiganFrank A. Eberhard, aged 76, went home to be with the Lord on January 17, 2010 after a year long battle with kidney cancer.Frank was the oldest son of Franz and Martina who emigrated in 1927 from Weingarten, Germany. Frank was born in Chicago, Illinois March 24, 1933. Because of hard economic times, Frank lived with his aunt and uncle George and Frances Huettlemeier in Essexville from June of 1933 until 1937, when he moved back with his family to Germania Street on Bay City's west side.Frank worked for List's Grocery store on Salzburg where he stocked and delivered groceries. He graduated from Saint Mary's High school and played the organ at Holy Trinity Church. He worked summers at Auto Light in Bay City while earning a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit which he received in 1954. During this time, Frank volunteered his time driving bus and chauffeuring upwards of forty orphans at a time to different activities and events. After his college graduation, Frank joined the Army Corp of Engineers in 1954. He served at Forts Chaffee, Leonardwood, Sill, Belvoir, and Knox where he achieved the rank of Company Commander of the 331st Engineering Battalion, the 428th Engineering Company and the C Battery of the 38th Artillery. Following his active duty Frank served in the Army Reserves where he was Company Commander, retiring with the rank of Captain.Frank married Rosemary Daily May 21, 1960, and had four daughters, Lisa, Christine, Kathleen and Suzanne. Frank worked at Dow Corning where he learned of a new technology called fiberglass reinforced plastics. He opened his own business F. A. Eberhard Plastics of Essexville in 1957, which he operated for 30 years. In 1987, he transitioned into the sign business with his daughter Kathy opening Eberhard and Father Signworks of Essexville. Frank and Kathy were later joined by Suzy and husband Greg Brown.Frank was licensed as an airplane pilot, was appointed to the Bay County Human Relations Commission, elected to the Bay City Commission where he served as president from 1985 to 1987, and was an active member of the Essexville/Hampton Lion's Club. Frank was an avid student of the Bible and had an evangelistic ministry. He was a member of Fraser Road Church of God. Frank and Rosemary were active supporters of Mid Michigan Teen Challenge. In 2004 Frank was awarded Quintin E. Cramer Good Citizen of the Year by the Essexville City Commission.While on the Bay City Commission Frank organized "Veteran's Industries" comprised of local veterans who volunteered their time and skills to rehabilitate local housing for poor and indigent families. Frank used his vision and talent to obtain three patents; one for translucent building panels, one for the mount that holds radar units in police patrol vehicles and one for the whirlpool bath which he designed for Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital to help with the care of burn patients. Since 1996 Frank had been an active volunteer with the "Super Kid's Derby" where special needs kids with their copilot volunteers can race soap box derby cars. Frank and Kathy opened up the shop to provide logos and decorations for the cars, and they provided and cooked hot dogs at the races.Along with his wife Rosemary, Frank is survived by his daughters and their husbands Lisa and Pete Boettcher of Clancy, Montana; Christine and Gerald Mulka of Kentwood; Kathleen and James Washabaugh of Bay City; and Suzanne and Gregory Brown of Auburn. He is survived by his grandchildren 2LT Benjamin and Rachel Boettcher, Artist Franz, Kathy and Kevin Deer, Jamie and Lorrie Brown, and Alexandra and Olivia Washabaugh. He is also survived by six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.Frank is predeceased by his parents Franz and Martina Eberhard, and his brothers George of Battle Creek, and Carl of Castro Valley, California. Friends may visit with the family at the Fraser Road Church of God on Wednesday, January 20, from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. Military Honors and a memorial service conducted by the Essexville Lions Club will be presented just prior to the service. Frank's life will be celebrated following the visitation and military honors at 4 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Rick Webb of Fraser Road Church of God off the I-75 Beaver Road exit. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family.